DRC Declares And End To Ebola Outbreak

The Democratic Republic of Congo has declared that there is an end to the Ebola outbreak after 42 days of no new infections. The virus has been contained three months after the start of the epidemic in DRC.

This Ebola outbreak, which resulted in 45 deaths, according to health officials. The outbreak was detected in September in the town of Bulape, making it the 16th recorded in the country since Ebola was first identified in 1976. Kasai had previously experienced outbreaks in 2007 and 2008.

28 Dead In Ebola Outbreak In DRC

“Today is an important day for the Ministry of Health, because we have good news, we are here… to announce the end of an Ebola epidemic,” Health Minister Samuel Roger Kamba said, as quoted by the Congolese Press Agency (ACP).

World Health Organization (WHO) regional director for Africa, Mohamed Janabi, praised the speed of the response, describing containment within three months as “a remarkable achievement.” He said national authorities, health workers, partners, and local communities worked effectively in one of the country’s more remote and difficult-to-access areas.

According to WHO figures and as reported by RT, the outbreak resulted in 64 cases, 53 were confirmed, and 11 were deemed probable. Forty-five people have died from the Ebola outbreak.

Ebola is a hemorrhagic disease, and symptoms appear 2 to 21 days after someone is exposed to the virus, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the United States. 

“Dry” symptoms, like fever and weakness, occur first and can progress to “wet” symptoms, like diarrhea and vomiting. Due to nonspecific symptoms, Ebola disease can be confused with more common infectious diseases. Survivors of Ebola can suffer from lifelong complications that include headaches, muscle and joint pain, and tiredness.

This news comes as the African state of Ethiopia is fighting a Marburg outbreak. Marburg is also a hemorrhagic disease, and the symptoms are severe. There is no treatment or vaccine, and help often comes in the form of support.