The Ministry of Health has published EBOLA DRC - Evolution of the Response to the Ebola Epidemic in North Kivu Province on Friday, August 31, 2018. Excerpt from the Google translation:
EPIDEMIOLOGICAL SITUATION IN THE PROVINCE OF NORTH KIVU
Friday 31 August 2018
The epidemiological situation of the Ebola Virus Disease dated 30 August 2018:
• A total of 118 cases of haemorrhagic fever were reported in the region, 88 confirmed and 30 probable.
• 13 suspected cases are under investigation.
• 2 new confirmed cases in Beni.
• No new deaths.
Remarks:
• To avoid that the total number of cases varies (up or down) daily, the suspect cases have been placed in a separate category. Thus, suspect cases with positive laboratory tests will be added to the confirmed category, while negative ones (non-cases) will be removed from the table.
The category of probable cases includes all reported deaths for which it was not possible to obtain biological samples for laboratory confirmation. The investigations will determine whether these deaths are related to the epidemic or not.
News of the response
Day of Traditional Medicine
• This Friday, August 31, 2018, African countries celebrated the Day of Traditional Medicine. Traditional medicine practiced by traditional healers remains particularly popular with the Congolese population, especially in rural areas. In many areas, traditional healers are the primary providers of primary care because people first go to their homes before seeing a conventional doctor at a health center. This is an important factor to consider in the context of an Ebola outbreak. Therefore, sensitization and involvement of traditional healers in the response is essential. It is for this reason that the Social Mobilization Commission organized today a briefing with the traditional healers of Beni. During this briefing,
Vaccination
• Since the start of vaccination on 8 August 2018, 5,150 people have been vaccinated , including 2,707 in Mabalako, 1,286 in Beni, 1,017 in Mandima, 121 in Oicha and 19 in Kinshasa.