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Ebola hemorrhagic fever

New Ebola Outbreak Declared in Democratic Republic of Congo

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Health authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have declared a new outbreak of the Ebola virus in central Kasai Province, with 15 deaths and 28 suspected cases reported since the end of August. The outbreak began on August 20 with the case of a 34-year-old pregnant woman who died from organ failure. The DRC has a stockpile of treatments, including 2,000 doses of the Ervebo vaccine, which is effective against the Zaire strain of Ebola.

Key Takeaways:

  • The new outbreak of Ebola in the DRC is the 16th recorded in the country, with the first case reported on August 20 in a 34-year-old pregnant woman who died from organ failure.
  • Four health workers were among the 15 people who have died, with 28 suspected cases reported since the end of August.
  • The World Health Organization (WHO) has dispatched experts alongside a Congolese rapid response team to Kasai Province to rapidly halt the spread of the virus and protect communities.
  • The DRC has a stockpile of treatments for Ebola, including 2,000 doses of the Ervebo vaccine, which is effective against the Zaire strain, the cause of the new outbreak.
  • The Zaire strain is one of six strains of Ebola, and the deadliest outbreak in the DRC occurred between 2018 and 2020, killing nearly 2,300 people.
  • The DRC has a population of over 100 million and poor infrastructure, with limited and poorly maintained lines of communication.

Statistics:

  • 15 deaths reported since the end of August
  • 28 suspected cases reported since the end of August
  • 4 health workers among the 15 people who have died
  • 2,000 doses of the Ervebo vaccine stockpiled in the DRC as treatment for Ebola
  • 16th outbreak of Ebola recorded in the DRC
  • 2018-2020 outbreak in the DRC killed nearly 2,300 people
  • DRC population over 100 million
  • 2,000 doses of Ervebo vaccine effective against Zaire strain of Ebola

Sources:

  • Radio France Internationale
  • AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com)

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