DRC Health Minister Roger Samuel Kamba said the country’s Ebola outbreak had passed its peak and authorities were gaining control of its spread, speaking at a press briefing in Bunia on Friday.
“You have seen the curves; the peak is truly behind us, so the epidemic can no longer get away from us. Previously, we were just tracking the epidemic; now, we have anticipated it. The most interesting example we can cite is the case of South Ubangi,” Kamba said.
“This clearly demonstrates that we can react very quickly; that specific case allowed us to intervene within two days of being notified. Teams had already left from here; they arrived with the vaccine and treatment, and – above all – with all the necessary preventive measures for contacts,” he added.
The outbreak, caused by the Bundibugyo virus, was declared in May and is DRC’s 17th recorded Ebola outbreak.
WHO said on September 30 that it had affected seven provinces and 63 health zones, with surveillance, rapid detection of suspected cases and contact monitoring central to efforts to break chains of transmission.
There is no licensed vaccine specifically for Bundibugyo virus disease. The licensed Ebola vaccine Ervebo is being used under research protocols during the outbreak, as there is not yet enough evidence to establish whether it protects people against the Bundibugyo strain.
Authorities and health partners are also expanding surveillance, treatment, infection prevention measures, and community engagement to contain transmission.
Source: Viory
