The Democratic Republic of Congo has again declared an end to the recent Ebola outbreak that claimed 55 lives.
The country is free from the deadly disease after more than 40 days without a case.
DR Congo’s health minister said “Congratulations to the government, health workers, responders & communities for this achievement while battling Covid-19.”
The 11th #Ebola outbreak in #DRC?? has officially been declared over by DRC health minister @LongondoEteni! Congratulations to the government, health workers, responders & communities for this achievement while battling #COVID19!?
End of Ebola: https://t.co/0fwL4bR4b1 pic.twitter.com/a68CXLB9G8
— WHO African Region (@WHOAFRO) November 18, 2020
Recent outbreak of the disease was in the northwest of the country and the third in two years.
In June this year DR Congo reported of several patients being diagnosed with the disease in Mbandaka, Equateur’s provincial capital.
The outbreak in Mbandaka emerged at a time the country was declaring an end to a different outbreak in the east of the country.
The outbreak took place in communities scattered across dense rain forests as well as crowded urban areas, creating logistical challenges. These were surmounted due to the leadership of the govt & local communities, supported by @WHO & partners. pic.twitter.com/1qjzGibZmD
— WHO African Region (@WHOAFRO) November 18, 2020
More than 2,000 people died from the disease in the North Kivu and Ituri provinces over two years.
A World Health Organization-approved vaccine by the pharmaceutical company Merck has helped to protect some 400,000 people from the disease in DR Congo.
The 11th #Ebola outbreak in #DRC?? is finally over after nearly 6 months!
Marthe Apuwa Mbila is the last patient to be discharged. The mother of two now helps care for children at the Ebola Treatment Center, where she is also receiving psychosocial support. pic.twitter.com/uyZK9eBD5N
— WHO African Region (@WHOAFRO) November 18, 2020
Congo has suffered 11 Ebola outbreaks since the virus was discovered near the Ebola River in 1976.
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Source: Africafeeds.com
