ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA, 16 December 2021.
On the 16th December 2021, the Minister of Health of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) declared the end of the 13th Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak.
This is the second EVD outbreak reported this year from the DRC. Results from genomic sequencing show that this outbreak is linked to the 2018 EVD outbreak reported from the same province. The outbreak was declared on 08 October 2021 in Beni Health Zone in North Kivu Province. In this outbreak, a total of 11 cases (8 confirmed, 3 probable), nine deaths (6, 3) and two recoveries of EVD were reported. These cases were distributed across three health areas: Butsili (9 cases, 7 deaths, 2 recoveries), Bundji (1, 1, 0) and Kanzulinzuli (1, 1, 0). The cumulative case fatality ratio is 82%. The last confirmed case was reported on 30 October 2021. The outbreak was successfully contained within the Beni Health Zone and no further cases were reported in other provinces.
“This is another example from the DRC showing a good example of applying the knowledge and expertise gained from previous recurrent outbreaks to quickly fight and bring the 13th outbreak to an end,” said Dr John Nkengasong, Director of Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).
The African Union Commission, through the Africa CDC, had deployed frontline workers and experts from the headquarter to support response to the 13th outbreak and donated medical and non-medical supplies including infection prevention and control kits, and laboratory consumables. The Africa CDC will continue to work with the Government of DRC and other partners to better coordinate our efforts in strengthening health systems in the country and across Africa
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/
