The situation of Ebola, cholera, and measles was at the center of a strategic coordination meeting held on September 28 in Kinshasa. As of the 38th epidemiological week, the Ebola outbreak has reported over 8,000 cases and more than 3,900 deaths, with a fatality rate of 48.4%. The outbreak is currently present in 63 health zones across seven provinces. Despite the scale of the situation, some indicators suggest a favorable evolution of the transmission, with a reproduction rate below 1.
The meeting highlighted the importance of monitoring and responding to the ongoing outbreaks. Over 2,070 people have been declared cured, and the contact tracing rate stands at 75%. The government and health teams remain mobilized to consolidate gains and continue interventions on the ground. The World Health Organization and other partners have been working closely with the Congolese government to support response efforts.
The meeting paid particular attention to frontline healthcare workers, who continue to be affected by the Ebola outbreak. The Director-General of the National Institute of Public Health, Dr. Mwamba Kazadi Dieudonné, emphasized the need to identify and understand the causes of these contaminations to implement adapted corrective measures. The goal is to determine the factors that favor exposure among healthcare workers and strengthen infection prevention and control measures.
The situation with cholera is also a concern, with approximately 2,300 cases reported in the 38th week, an increase from the previous week. The province of Tshuapa has been identified as a high-risk area, with six deaths reported and around 40 suspected cases under care and monitoring. Response measures have been implemented in the Bokungu health zone, including the mobilization of health teams to ensure surveillance, care, and control of the disease spread.
A vaccination campaign is planned in the South Kivu province, which continues to report cholera cases. The campaign aims to rapidly vaccinate populations in the Shabunda and Mulungu health zones. Meanwhile, the national trend for measles is showing a decline, with approximately 790 cases reported in the 38th week, representing a 16% decrease from the previous week.
However, certain provinces, including Tanganyika, are still under surveillance due to an increasing trend of measles cases. A vaccination campaign has been organized with partner support to reinforce population protection. The health situation in Tshuapa was also discussed, with the Director-General of the National Institute of Public Health reassuring parents about the temporary closure of a school to allow for decontamination before reopening.
The government and health partners continue to work together to address the ongoing outbreaks. The situation remains under close monitoring, and response efforts are being intensified to contain the spread of the diseases. The Congolese government has reiterated its commitment to enhancing response efforts and protecting the health and well-being of its citizens.
Key points
- The Ebola outbreak has reported over 8,000 cases and more than 3,900 deaths.
- The government is working to enhance response efforts and contain the spread of the diseases.
- A vaccination campaign is planned in the South Kivu province to address the cholera outbreak.
