ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA, 9 FEBRUARY 2021. The African Union Commission, through the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), has started discussions with the Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) on how to support response to the 12th Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak in North Kivu. This follows the declaration by the DRC of a new outbreak of EVD on 7 February 2021 in Butembo Area of North Kivu Province after the wife of an EVD survivor tested positive for the virus.
The DRC Ministry of Public Health is currently working with partners to establish coordination and response mechanisms that will help contain the outbreak as quickly as possible. A total of 70 contacts have already been registered and are being followed up.
Africa CDC recognizes the burden of responding to this new outbreak while at the same time responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic alone has placed a heavy toll on countries and has already overstretched health systems globally.
During the 23-month long 10th EVD outbreak in the DRC, which was declared over in June 2020, Africa CDC deployed 65 frontline workers and 27 of its staffers to support response. Some of these frontline workers are currently supporting response to the COVID-19 pandemic in the country and are already working closely with the national Ebola response coordination to monitor the situation.
Africa CDC will provide additional support by deploying rapid responders to engage in laboratory testing, alert investigation, contact tracing and follow-up, infection prevention and control, and risk communication and community engagement.
About the Africa CDC
The Africa CDC mission is to strengthen Africa’s public health institution’s capacities, capabilities and partnerships to detect and respond quickly and effectively to disease threats and outbreaks based on science, policy, and data-driven interventions and programmes. Learn more at: http://www.africacdc.org
About the African Union
The African Union spearheads Africa’s development and integration in close collaboration with African Union Member States, the Regional Economic Communities and African citizens. AU Vision: to accelerate progress towards an integrated, prosperous and inclusive Africa, at peace with itself, playing a dynamic role in the continental and global arena, effectively driven by an accountable, efficient and responsive Commission. Learn more at: http://www.au.int/en/
