Via mediacongo.net, a reminder that Ebola isn't the DR Congo's only health problem: "Chikungunya": Concern over lack of response to the epidemic. The Google translation:
The disease is currently rife in Kinshasa and Kongo Central, two provinces of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Chikungunya, this epidemic caused by the mosquito Aedes, was the subject of a scientific morning to the attention of journalists, Tuesday May 14, 2019, veterinary clinics of the capital.
According to prof. Justin Masumu, Director of Studies of the Interdisciplinary Center for Health Risk Management (CIGRS), this meeting was held for all together, journalists and scientists to reflect on the Chikungunya epidemic. Since 2018, this epidemic has started in the DRC in the health zone of Mount Ngafula I and II. Currently, it is located in Matadi through several cities of central Kongo.
How to fight?
Neither vaccine nor any product can kill the Chikungunya virus. This is why management is symptomatic. Teacher Justin Masumu informs, it is necessary to administer to the patient nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, to avoid hemorrhages.
When the surveillance samples arrive at the National Institute for Biomedical Research (INRB) however, the test is performed free of charge. If this disease was under surveillance at the medical center level, all suspected cases should be transferred to the INRB.
To fight against Chikungunya, you have to rely on the way in which transmission is done. It is by the mosquito Aedes and can multiply even in homes through flower pots, boxes of sardines, which are places where these mosquitoes can multiply. Reason why the fight is anti vector.
"We must use all possible means to prevent the multiplication of mosquitoes," he said. There is also the problem of the reservoir, since it is many more monkeys and birds that are vectors. Again, there is the possibility to monitor all these animals. He suggested that action be taken on the ecological side by veterinarians for the surveillance of all these reservoirs.
Testimonials from the survivors
A dozen survivors of Chikungunya testified during this meeting. Mrs. Regine Nsuka, forty or so years old, living in Mont Ngafula, says: "On December 27, 2018, I felt bad when I got home from work. I immediately took two tablets of Amidol. My head hurt, my joints hurt, and I could not get up. I did not have an appetite either and could not eat for seven days. I was subjected to Amidol and Fort muscle by my husband who is a doctor. It was seven days later, I recovered. However, there are times when I feel cramps in my arms."
Mrs. Mélanie Kapinga, in her fifties, living in Limere, Kingabwa, explains: "In mid-March, I returned from the place where I work with aches, fever and the situation gradually worsened. I was worried because I did not have neck pain, which is the case every time I have a malaria problem. Once spread out on the bed, I could not get up. I decided to go to the hospital from 5pm when it was gone. There I told the doctor that I did not think I would get up the next day. He's the one who prescribed me products that I do not know the name. I recovered three weeks later. Until now, I have from time to time pain in the joints. It's a very bad disease."
