A new Ebola attack has been discovered in the northwest of the Democratic Republic of Congo; WHO team supporting the response

The government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo announced today that a new outbreak of Ebola virus disease is breaking out in the health zone of Wangata, Mbandaka, in the province of Éfficientur. The announcement comes that a long, severe and complex Ebola epidemic in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo is in its final stages, and the country is also battling COVID-19 and the world’s largest measles epidemic.

Initial information from the Ministry of Health is that six cases of Ebola have been detected in Wangata so far, four of which have died and two are alive and in custody. Three of these six cases were confirmed by laboratory tests. It is likely that more people will be identified with the disease as surveillance activities increase.

“This is a reminder that COVID-19 is not the only health threat people face,” said Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “Although our focus is on the pandemic, the WHO continues to monitor and respond to many other health cases.”

This is the Democratic Republic of the Congo 11^th Ebola outbreaks since the virus was first detected in the country in 1976. The city of Mbandaka and its environs were the site of the Democratic Republic of Congo 9^th Ebola outbreak, which took place from May to July 2018.

“This is happening at a challenging time, but the WHO has worked in the last two years with health authorities, the African CDC and other partners to strengthen national capacities to respond to epidemics,” said Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa. “To strengthen local leadership, the WHO plans to send a team to support increasing responses. Given the proximity of this new attack on busy roads and vulnerable neighboring countries, we need to act quickly. “

The WHO is already on the ground in Mbandaka and supports the response to this epidemic, as part of the capacities built during the 2018 epidemic. The team supported the collection and testing of samples and sent it to the national laboratory for confirmation. Searching for contacts is in progress. Work is underway to send additional supplies from North Kivu and Kinshasa to support the government-led response. An additional 25 people are expected to arrive in Mbandak tomorrow. The WHO is also working to ensure the provision of basic health services to communities despite these emergencies.

Democratic Republic of the Congo 10^th the outbreak of Ebola in the provinces of North Kivu, South Kivu and Ituri is in its final stages. On May 14, 2020, the Ministry of Health began a 42-day countdown to the proclamation of the end of that epidemic.

New Ebola epidemics are expected in the Democratic Republic of Congo given the existence of the virus in an animal tank in many parts of the country.

Note to editors – key figures

COVID-19 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

• As of May 31, 2020, 3,195 cases have been reported, including 72 deaths.

Measles in Democratic Republic of the Congo

• Since 2019, 369,520 cases of measles and 6779 deaths have been reported.

Recent Ebola epidemics in Democratic Republic of the Congo

11^th Outbreak: Mbandaka, Éfficientur Province.

• In process. Proclaimed June 1, 2020.
• 6 cases (3 confirmed, 3 probable). Of these, 4 people died and 2 are alive

10^th outbreak: North Kivu, South Kivu and Ituri provinces

• In process. Proclaimed August 1, 2018.
• 3463 cases (3317 confirmed and 146 probable). Of these, 2,280 people died and 1,171 survived.

9^th Outbreak: Mbandaka, Éfficientur Province.

• Proclaimed May 8, 2018 and completed July 24, 2018.
• 54 cases (38 confirmed and 16 probable). Of these, 33 died and 21 survived.