Ebola Outbreak 2020

Portrait for @christoph
by @christoph
2020-11-19T10:05:42+00:00
Health
Ebola outbreak in Congo ended according to WHO

According to the World Health Organization the Congo has successfully ended an Ebola outbreak while fighting Covid-19 at the same time.

WHO Africa chief Matshidiso Moeti has stated that "Overcoming one of the world's most dangerous pathogens in remote and hard to access communities demonstrates what is possible when science and solidarity come together," adding that "This constituted a major logistical challenge in terms of the implementation of response activities in a health system already weakened by previous epidemics and by a weak involvement of the community."

"Tackling Ebola in parallel with COVID-19 hasn't been easy, but much of the expertise we've built in one disease is transferable to another and underlines the importance of investing in emergency preparedness and building local capacity."

Portrait for @violette
by @violette
2020-07-16T16:30:02+00:00
Regional News • Africa
DR Congo: Growing Ebola outbreak, 48 reported cases
This 1995 photograph shows scientist with personal protective equipment (PPE) testing samples from animals collected in Zaire for the Ebola virus.
This 1995 photograph shows scientist with personal protective equipment (PPE) testing samples from animals collected in Zaire for the Ebola virus. Credit: Photo Credit:Content Providers(s): CDC/ Ethleen Lloyd / Public domain

The western Democratic Republic of Congo reports 48 Ebola cases since June 1st. 20 people have died. WHO emergency expert Mike Ryan: "This is still a very active outbreak, and I would say it is still a great concern."

Even though numbers are still low, Ryan voices concerns: "In the era of COVID, it is very important that we do not take our eyes off these other emerging diseases."