The Ministry of Health has published EBOLA DRC - Evolution of the response to the Ebola outbreak in the provinces of North Kivu and Ituri at Monday 29 April 2019. At the risk of sounding alarmist, it looks really bad: At the current rate, we could be at 1,000 deaths by the end of this week. But the vaccination campaign continues and the MoH is paying attention to Ebola survivors. Excerpt from the Google translation:
EPIDEMIOLOGICAL SITUATION IN THE PROVINCES OF NORTH KIVU AND ITURI
Monday, April 29, 2019
The epidemiological situation of the Ebola Virus Disease dated April 28, 2019:
• Since the beginning of the epidemic, the cumulative number of cases is 1,466, 1,400 confirmed and 66 probable. In total, there were 957 deaths (891 confirmed and 66 probable) and 411 people cured.
• 239 suspected cases under investigation;
• 27 new confirmed cases, including 10 in Katwa, 6 in Mandima, 5 in Mabalako, 2 in Beni, 2 in Musienene, 1 in Mutwanga and 1 in Butembo;
• 26 new deaths of confirmed cases, including
º 15 community / hospital deaths, 8 in Katwa, 3 in Mandima, 2 in Mabalako, 1 in Musienene and 1 in Beni;
º 11 CTE / CT deaths, including 5 in Mandima, 4 in Katwa and 2 in Butembo;
• 1 new healed from the CTE of Komanda.
/! \ 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
Eye health of Ebola winners
• Research over the past few years on people who have survived Ebola Virus Disease has revealed that nearly 20% of Ebola survivors develop eye problems of various forms, including eye inflammation that can lead to total loss of vision. Early diagnosis and treatment of these problems limits the risk of serious sequelae.
• For example, as part of the National Ebola Survival Program, the Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization set up an eye clinic in Beni and Butembo to check the eye health of survivors and provide them with information. specialized care where appropriate. The two partners in this project are two American universities, Emory University and the University of North Carolina. During their mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo, international ophthalmologists conducted refresher sessions for their Congolese colleagues. Ten Congolese ophthalmologists have been trained on how to diagnose and treat eye problems related to the Ebola virus.
• This is the first time that ophthalmic monitoring of survivors has been implemented so quickly after survivors have left Ebola treatment centers during an active epidemic. As a reminder, the Ministry of Health and its partners have created a national program to monitor Ebola winners. This program provides monthly clinical, biological and psychosocial follow-up for Ebola survivors.
Vaccination
• Since the beginning of vaccination on August 8, 2018, 107,565 people have been vaccinated , including 28,826 in Katwa, 23,107 in Beni, 13,246 in Butembo, 6,964 in Mabalako, 4,862 in Mandima, 3,269 in Kalunguta, 3,070 in Goma, 2,729 in Oicha, 2,699 at Komanda, 1,915 at Vuhovi, 1,889 at Masereka, 1,748 at Kyondo, 1,630 at Kayina, 1,487 at Bunia, 1,357 at Karisimbi, 1,313 at Lubero, 1,047 at Musienene, 1,025 at Biena, 772 at Mutwanga, 690 at Rutshuru, 557 in Rwampara (Ituri), 527 in Nyankunde, 496 in Mangurujipa, 420 in Mambasa, 355 in Tchomia, 342 in Kirotshe, 333 in Lolwa, 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.
