ECHO Daily Flash

Democratic Republic of Congo – Ebola outbreak

published on 15/08/2018

Since the outbreak of Ebola virus disease (EVD) was declared on 1 August 2018, a total of 66 cases were reported, consisting of 39 confirmed EVD cases and 27 probable cases. In addition, there are 36 suspected cases which are being investigated. 42 deaths are reported. Over 1 000 contacts of confirmed and/or probable EVD cases have been identified and are being followed-up. The Ministry of Health (MoH) of the DRC initiated a prompt national and international mobilisation jointly with the World Health Organisation (WHO). However, the epidemiological spread of the outbreak is not yet known.
This 10th outbreak of EVD in the DRC since 1976 occurs in six health zones in the province of North Kivu and in one health zone in the bordering province of Ituri. North Kivu is one of the most densely populated provinces of the DRC. The Ebola-affected area is next to Uganda and Rwanda with frequent cross-border movements due to trade activities. WHO considers the public health risk "high" at national (DRC) level and regional level. The neighbouring countries are increasing surveillance and preparedness activities. The public health risk at global level is considered "low" by WHO.
The "National plan for the response to the Ebola virus disease epidemic in North Kivu province" addresses all aspects of the required actions and strategic issues, from setting up Ebola treatment centres, vaccination of health workers and contacts, to the surveillance, reporting and evaluation, community mobilisation and the organisation of safe and dignified burials – to name just a few examples.
The EU is providing support to contain the disease in particular by deploying humanitarian experts and conducting so far eight flights by the EU humanitarian air service ECHO Flight to the Ebola-affected area (transporting personnel, medical supplies and equipment).
The scaling up of the response and the mobilisation of further health partner organisations continues in order to manage and contain the spread of the disease. One of the obstacles is the very volatile security situation in the region.