The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) faces its 11th Ebola Outbreak, yet again. The Congolese health ministry has confirmed six cases out of which four have succumbed to the infection, the other two are getting treated for the same. The cases were reported in Wangata in the Equateur province.
World Health Organisation(WHO) Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said, “This is a reminder that COVID-19 is not the only health threat people face.” The World Health Organization has teams on the ground to support and respond promptly to the disease.
Ebola was first found in 1976 in DRC, and this is the second outbreak striking Congo in less than two years. Symptoms of Ebola include hemorrhagic fever, severe vomiting, and diarrhoea; humans can spread the virus through direct contact with body fluids.
Meanwhile, Congo is battling against the rising number of COVID-19 cases with 3,195 confirmed infections and 72 deaths.
Anne-Marie Connor, national director in Congo for the aid organization World Vision informed, “This quadruple threat could prove lethal for millions of children and their families.”
A ring vaccination strategy is in a place wherein WHO is deploying Merck’s vaccine for the people of Congo. The vaccine is offered to close contacts of confirmed cases, including health workers who attend Ebola patients.
Johnson & Johnson developed the second Ebola vaccine, and the distribution began in fall 2019. It is a two-dose vaccine, designed to protect individuals for a long time.
As Trump threatens to withdraw from WHO, it is unclear about the role the US administration will play in combating this new outbreak in DRC.
