ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA, 03 May 2020. The Ministry of Health of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), today declared an end to the 12th Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak in the North Kivu Province, three months after the outbreak began. This outbreak is a resurgence of cases from a survivor of the 10th EVD outbreak in the region. The 10th Ebola outbreak in DRC is the second largest EVD outbreak in history lasting from August 2018 and June 2020 affecting 3,470 people with 2,287 deaths.
“The is an outbreak of concern in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, creating a huge pressure to the existing health care systems, resources and workforce for both the Government of DRC, the community and all partners including Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), ” said Dr John Nkengasong, Director of Africa CDC. “I strongly commend the concerted effort of the Government of DRC, local health authorities, and partners for their concerted effort to early detect and rapidly control such a high risk outbreak.”
The outbreak was reported in four (4) health zones in the affected province, with a total of 12 cases, 6 deaths (case fatality rate 50%), including two healthcare workers who acquired the infection while caring for EVD patients. The Government had declared the outbreak on 07 February 2021, after seven (7) months of declaring an end to the 10th outbreak in the province. The African Union Commission, through the Africa CDC, has been supporting such multiple disease outbreak in DR Congo, including COVID-19 with deployment of experts, supplies and supporting community health workers. “I wish to congratulate the Government of DRC, and to reaffirm our commitment as Africa CDC will continue to work with the Government, and other partners to better coordinate our efforts in strengthening health systems in the DRC and across Africa.” said Dr John Nkengasong.
