The Ministry of Health has published EBOLA DRC - Evolution of the response to the Ebola outbreak in the provinces of North Kivu and Ituri on Wednesday, March 27, 2019. Excerpt from the Google translation:
EPIDEMIOLOGICAL SITUATION IN THE PROVINCES OF NORTH KIVU AND ITURI
Wednesday 27 March 2019
The epidemiological situation of the Ebola Virus Disease dated March 26, 2019:
• Since the beginning of the epidemic, the cumulative number of cases is 1,029, of which 964 are confirmed and 65 are probable. In total, there were 642 deaths (577 confirmed and 65 probable) and 324 people cured.
• 239 suspected cases under investigation;
• 7 new confirmed cases, including 4 in Katwa, 2 in Beni, and 1 in Oicha;
• 3 new deaths of confirmed cases, including
º 2 community deaths in Katwa;
º 1 death at the CTE of Butembo.
/! \ The data presented in this table are subject to change later, after extensive investigations and after redistribution of cases and deaths in their health areas.
News of the response
Katwa: Importance of decontamination of households and health centers
• Of the four new confirmed cases of Katwa reported today, three are from the Muchanga health area. These three people were cared for in the same health facility in which seven confirmed patients were hospitalized since March 10, 2019, indicating a possible nosocomial transmission of the virus. However, no decontamination activity could be carried out after the notification of each new confirmed case because of the refusal of the surrounding community.
• As explained in the newsletter of March 26, 2019, infection prevention and control (ICP) is an essential pillar to break the chain of transmission of the virus and stop the spread of the virus. Thus, when a person infected with Ebola is treated in a health center, outside the Ebola Treatment Center, decontamination of the center is important to prevent other patients from being infected later.
Vaccination
• Since the start of vaccination on August 8, 2018, 92,172 people have been vaccinated , including 22,937 in Katwa, 21,125 in Beni, 11,219 in Butembo, 6,109 in Mabalako, 3,130 in Mandima, 3,005 in Kalunguta, 2,871 in Goma, 2,317 in Komanda, 2,258 at Oicha, 1,630 at Kayina, 1,629 at Masereka, 1,409 at Bunia, 1,389 at Kyondo, 1,357 at Karisimbi, 1,353 at Vuhovi, 1,091 at Lubero, 1,025 at Biena, 936 at Musienene, 772 at Mutwanga, 690 at Rutshuru, 557 in Rwampara (Ituri), 527 in Nyankunde, 496 in Mangurujipa, 355 in Tchomia, 333 in Lolwa, 342 in Kirotshe, 280 in Mambasa, 254 in Alimbongo, 250 in Mweso, 245 in Kibirizi, 161 in Nyiragongo, 97 in Watsa (Haut-Uélé) and 13 in Kisangani.
• The only vaccine to be used in this outbreak is the rVSV-ZEBOV vaccine, manufactured by the pharmaceutical group Merck, following approval by the Ethics Committee in its decision of 19 May 2018.
