On 11 May 2017, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) was identified by the World Health Organization (WHO) as having one Ebola-related death.[4][5]
| Initial case: 22 April 2017[1] Ended: 1 July 2017[2] | |
 Democratic Republic of the Congo | |
| Confirmed cases | 5[3] |
|---|---|
| Probable cases | 3[3] |
| Deaths | 4[3] |
As of 8 June 2017, there were five confirmed cases and three probable cases. Of these, four survived and four died.[6] The affected areas of the DRC are Mabongo (one confirmed), Ngayi (one probable), and Nambwa (four confirmed and two probable) in Likati health zone.[6] According to the WHO, "Modelling suggests the risk of further cases is currently low but not negligible.... As of ... [8 June], 83% of simulated scenarios predict no further cases in the next 30 days."[6]
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, "Ebola ... is a rare and deadly disease caused by infection with one of the Ebola virus species. Ebola can cause disease in humans and nonhuman primates (monkeys, gorillas, and chimpanzees)." Ebola was first identified in 1976 near the Ebola River in the DRC.[7] More than 11,300 people died in the 2013 to 2016 Ebola outbreak in West Africa.[8]
According to the WHO's "Global Health Observatory", the DRC's population in 2015 was 77,267,000.[9] On 1 July 2017, DRC Minister of Public Health, Dr Oly Ilunga Kalenga, declared that the country had passed a 42-day period with no new recorded cases, and therefore the outbreak was over.[2][10][11] A subsequent outbreak of Ebola was declared by WHO on 8 May 2018, in the northwest Province of Équateur.[12]
Epidemiology
editThe first "situation report" from the WHO on 15 May 2017 listed 19 suspected cases and 3 deaths.[13] The first person to request treatment was a 39-year-old male.[13]
On 16 May, the WHO indicated that there had been 21 suspected cases and 3 deaths. Approximately 400 additional individuals were being monitored in the same region of the DRC.[14] On 17 May, WHO said that the number of individuals being monitored had risen to about 416,[15] while the following day, the number of confirmed and suspected cases had risen to 29.[16] As of 24 May, 520 individuals were reported to be on the contact list to monitor their health status. Of those, 226 had completed 21 days of monitoring.[17] As of 27 May, 30 cases had been reclassified as not Ebola-related.[18]
Responses
editOrganizations
editOn 13 May 2017, Doctors Without Borders indicated that they would send a team to the most recently affected area in the DRC.[19]
The GAVI vaccine alliance indicated that 300,000 doses of the experimental Ebola vaccine were available if needed.[1] On 28 May, it was reported that the DRC had authorized use of the vaccine.[20]
Nearby countries
editAs of 8 June 2017, the WHO does not recommend any restrictions of travel and trade in relation to this outbreak.[6] The following nine countries have instituted entry screening at airports and ports of entry: Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.[6] Rwanda has issued travel advisories to avoid unnecessary travel to the DRC.[6] Kenya and Rwanda have implemented information checking on arrival for passengers with a travel history from or through the DRC.[6] According to the WHO, countries have the right to implement these measures.[6]
On 20 May, the news media reported Rwanda's closure of its border with the DRC for passengers coming from affected areas in the DRC.[17] On 23 May, the WHO confirmed that Rwanda is denying entry to visitors with fever who have been to those areas.[17] Under Article 43 of the International Health Regulations (2005),[21] the WHO considers these actions to be "additional health measures ... that significantly interfere with international traffic".[17] As of 8 June the WHO is attempting to obtain and review Rwanda's public health rationale and relevant scientific information for implementing these measures.[6]
Virology
edit
The sub-type Zaire ebolavirus has been confirmed in the current outbreak,[22] from the family Filoviridae.[23] It is a single stranded RNA virus, with a 60-90 percent mortality rate (the highest among the strains).[24]
An unusually high mortality has been reported in the local pig population. An investigation into potential causes is being considered.[17]
Previous and subsequent outbreaks in the DRC
editThe virus took its name from the Ebola River near the village in Zaire (now the DRC) where the first documented outbreak occurred.[25] Multiple documented outbreaks of Ebola virus disease have occurred in the DRC since 1976,[26] with the eleven outbreaks that have occurred summarised in the table below.
| Date | Country | Major location | Outbreak information | Source | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Strain | Cases | Deaths | CFR | ||||
| Aug 1976 | Zaire | Yambuku | EBOV | 318 | 280 | 88% | [27] |
| Jun 1977 | Zaire | Tandala | EBOV | 1 | 1 | 100% | [28][29] |
| May–Jul 1995 | Zaire | Kikwit | EBOV | 315 | 254 | 81% | [30] |
| Aug–Nov 2007 | Democratic Republic of the Congo | Kasai-Occidental | EBOV | 264 | 187 | 71% | [31] |
| Dec 2008–Feb 2009 | Democratic Republic of the Congo | Kasai-Occidental | EBOV | 32 | 14 | 45% | [32] |
| Jun–Nov 2012 | Democratic Republic of the Congo | Orientale | BDBV | 77 | 36 | 47% | [28] |
| Aug–Nov 2014 | Democratic Republic of the Congo | Tshuapa | EBOV | 66 | 49 | 74% | [33] |
| May–Jul 2017 | Democratic Republic of the Congo | Likati | EBOV | 8 | 4 | 50% | [34] |
| Apr–Jul 2018 | Democratic Republic of the Congo | Équateur Province | EBOV | 54 | 33 | 61% | [35] |
| Aug 2018–June 2020 | Democratic Republic of the Congo | Kivu | EBOV | 3,470 | 2,280 | 66% | [36] |
| June–Nov 2020 | Democratic Republic of the Congo | Équateur Province | EBOV | 130 | 55 | 42% | [37] |
| Feb 2021–May 2021 | Democratic Republic of the Congo | North Kivu | EBOV | 12 | 6 | 50% | [38] |
| April 2022 | Democratic Republic of the Congo | Équateur Province | EBOV | 5 | 5 | 100% | [39][40] |
| August 2022 | Democratic Republic of the Congo | North Kivu | EBOV | 1 | 1 | 100% | [41] |
See also
edit
References
edit- ^ a b "Ebola outbreak reported in the Democratic Republic of Congo". PBS NewsHour. 13 May 2017. Archived from the original on 16 May 2017. Retrieved 17 May 2017.
- ^ a b "REFILE-Congo declares Ebola outbreak over after four deaths". Reuters. July 2017. Archived from the original on 11 January 2018. Retrieved 1 July 2017.
- ^ a b c "External Situation Report 26" (PDF). Regional Office for Africa. Ebola Virus Disease−Democratic Republic of the Congo. World Health Organization. 22 June 2017. Archived (PDF) from the original on 7 April 2023. Retrieved 23 June 2017.
- ^ "Dr Oly Ilunga Kalenga, Minister of Public Health, announces an outbreak of Ebola Virus Disease in Likati district, Bas-Uélé Province (northern DRC) following confirmation by the National Biomedical Research Institute". Archived from the original on 18 June 2019. Retrieved 14 May 2017.
- ^ Beavers, Olivia (14 May 2017). "Second Ebola case in Congo confirmed". TheHill. Archived from the original on 18 May 2017. Retrieved 16 May 2017.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "Ebola Virus Disease Democratic Republic of Congo" (PDF). WHO. Archived (PDF) from the original on 25 March 2020. Retrieved 14 June 2017.
- ^ "About Ebola Virus Disease". www.cdc.gov. Archived from the original on 16 October 2014. Retrieved 16 May 2017.
- ^ "Democratic Republic of Congo confirms new Ebola outbeak". The Raw Story. Archived from the original on 7 June 2017. Retrieved 14 May 2017.
- ^ "Democratic Republic of the Congo". World Health Organization. Archived from the original on 19 May 2017. Retrieved 17 May 2017.
- ^ "Congo declares end to Ebola outbreak after 4 deaths". ABC News. 1 July 2017. Archived from the original on 11 July 2017. Retrieved 1 July 2017.
- ^ "Democratic Republic of the Congo Declaration of the end of Ebola virus disease outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo" (PDF). WHO.int. 2 July 2017. Archived (PDF) from the original on 11 April 2020. Retrieved 5 July 2017.
- ^ "New Ebola outbreak declared in Democratic Republic of the Congo". World Health Organization. 8 May 2018. Archived from the original on 6 May 2019. Retrieved 22 May 2018.
- ^ a b "External Situation Report 1" (PDF). Regional Office for Africa. Ebola Virus Disease−Democratic Republic of the Congo. World Health Organization. 15 May 2017. Archived (PDF) from the original on 13 May 2023. Retrieved 16 May 2017.
- ^ "External Situation Report 2" (PDF). Regional Office for Africa. Ebola Virus Disease−Democratic Republic of the Congo. World Health Organization. 17 May 2017. Archived (PDF) from the original on 28 April 2024. Retrieved 17 May 2017.
- ^ "External Situation Report 3" (PDF). Regional Office for Africa. Ebola Virus Disease−Democratic Republic of the Congo. World Health Organization. 17 May 2017. Archived (PDF) from the original on 7 April 2022. Retrieved 18 May 2017.
- ^ "Ebola virus disease". WHO. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
- ^ a b c d e "External Situation Report 11" (PDF). Regional Office for Africa. Ebola Virus Disease−Democratic Republic of the Congo. World Health Organization. 25 May 2017. Archived (PDF) from the original on 28 April 2024. Retrieved 28 May 2017.
- ^ "External Situation Report 14" (PDF). Regional Office for Africa. Ebola Virus Disease−Democratic Republic of the Congo. World Health Organization. 25 May 2017. Archived (PDF) from the original on 28 April 2024. Retrieved 27 May 2017.
- ^ "Ebola Confirmed in DRC, MSF to Launch Emergency Intervention". www.doctorswithoutborders.org. 12 May 2017. Archived from the original on 18 May 2017. Retrieved 16 May 2017.
- ^ "Congo approves use of Ebola vaccination to fight outbreak". Reuters. 29 May 2017. Archived from the original on 27 September 2018. Retrieved 29 May 2017.
- ^ "International Health Regulation". WHO. Archived from the original on 23 January 2022. Retrieved 20 August 2018.
- ^ "Ebola virus disease – Democratic Republic of the Congo". World Health Organization. Archived from the original on 16 May 2017. Retrieved 14 May 2017.
- ^ Kuhn, Jens H.; Becker, Stephan; Ebihara, Hideki; Geisbert, Thomas W.; Johnson, Karl M.; Kawaoka, Yoshihiro; Lipkin, W. Ian; Negredo, Ana I.; Netesov, Sergey V. (14 May 2017). "Proposal for a revised taxonomy of the family Filoviridae: classification, names of taxa and viruses, and virus abbreviations". Archives of Virology. 155 (12): 2083–2103. doi:10.1007/s00705-010-0814-x. ISSN 0304-8608. PMC 3074192. PMID 21046175.
- ^ Kadanali, Ayten; Karagoz, Gul (24 April 2015). "An overview of Ebola virus disease". Northern Clinics of Istanbul. 2 (1): 81–86. doi:10.14744/nci.2015.97269. ISSN 2536-4553. PMC 5175058. PMID 28058346.
- ^ "Ebola virus disease". Media centre. World Health Organization. May 2017. Archived from the original on 14 December 2014. Retrieved 16 May 2017.
- ^ "Ebola returns: What you need to know about the outbreak in the Congo". Newsweek. 15 May 2017. Archived from the original on 15 May 2017. Retrieved 16 May 2017.
- ^ Report of an International Commission (1978). "Ebola haemorrhagic fever in Zaire, 1976". Bulletin of the World Health Organization. 56 (2): 271–293. ISSN 0042-9686. PMC 2395567. PMID 307456.
- ^ a b "Years of Ebola Virus Disease Outbreaks". www.cdc.gov. 18 May 2018. Retrieved 22 May 2018.
- ^ Heymann, D. L.; et al. (1980). "Ebola Hemorrhagic Fever: Tandala, Zaire, 1977–1978". Journal of Infectious Diseases. 142 (3): 372–76. doi:10.1093/infdis/142.3.372. PMID 7441008.
- ^ Khan, A. S.; Tshioko, F. K.; Heymann, D. L.; Le Guenno, B.; Nabeth, P.; Kerstiëns, B.; Fleerackers, Y.; Kilmarx, P. H.; Rodier, G. R.; Nkuku, O.; Rollin, P. E.; Sanchez, A.; Zaki, S. R.; Swanepoel, R.; Tomori, O.; Nichol, S. T.; Peters, C. J.; Muyembe-Tamfum, J. J.; Ksiazek, T. G. (1999). "The reemergence of Ebola hemorrhagic fever, Democratic Republic of the Congo, 1995". The Journal of Infectious Diseases. 179 Suppl 1: S76–86. doi:10.1086/514306. ISSN 0022-1899. PMID 9988168. S2CID 12364499.
- ^ "Outbreak news. Ebola virus haemorrhagic fever, Democratic Republic of the Congo--update". Relevé Épidémiologique Hebdomadaire. 82 (40): 345–346. 5 October 2007. ISSN 0049-8114. PMID 17918654.
- ^ "WHO | End of Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo". www.who.int. Retrieved 22 May 2018.
- ^ "Congo declares its Ebola outbreak over". Reuters. 15 November 2014. Retrieved 22 May 2018.
- ^ "Democratic Republic of the Congo Ebola virus" (PDF). World Health Organization. Retrieved 22 May 2018.
- ^ "Ebola virus disease – Democratic Republic of the Congo: Disease outbreak news, 25 July 2018". ReliefWeb. Retrieved 26 July 2018.
- ^ "DR Congo's deadliest Ebola outbreak declared over". BBC News. 25 June 2020. Retrieved 25 June 2020.
- ^ "UNICEF welcomes end of Ebola outbreak in the Equateur Province of the DRC". www.unicef.org. Retrieved 18 November 2020.
- ^ "European Centre for Disease Prevention and Contro" (PDF). COMMUNICABLE DISEASE THREATS REPORT Week 18, 2-8 May 2021. Retrieved 20 June 2021.
- ^ "Five Ebola virus patients in DR Congo reported dead: WHO". BERNAMA. 25 May 2022. Retrieved 13 June 2022.
- ^ "5 Ebola virus patients in DR Congo reported dead: WHO". www.aa.com.tr. Retrieved 13 June 2022.
- ^ "The Democratic Republic of the Congo declares Ebola resurgence in North Kivu". WHO | Regional Office for Africa. Retrieved 7 April 2023.
Further reading
edit- Clarke, Elizabeth C.; Bradfute, Steven B. (9 June 2017). "Advances in Ebola virus vaccination". The Lancet Infectious Diseases. 17 (8): 787–788. doi:10.1016/S1473-3099(17)30320-1. ISSN 1473-3099. PMID 28606592.
- Shapshak, Paul; Sinnott, John T.; Somboonwit, Charurut; Kuhn, Jens (13 July 2015). Global Virology I - Identifying and Investigating Viral Diseases. Springer. ISBN 9781493924103.
- "In equatorial Congo, WHO and its partners respond to an Ebola outbreak". World Health Organization. World Health Organization 2017. Archived from the original on 4 June 2017. Retrieved 27 June 2017.
- "WHO declares an end to the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo". World Health Organization. Archived from the original on 5 July 2017. Retrieved 3 July 2017.
- Muyembe, Jean-Jacques T.; Kobinger, Gary P.; Ilunga, Benoit Kebela; Fausther-Bovendo, Hugues; Ahuka, Steve; Ilunga Kalenga, Oly; Muyembe Muzinga, Baby; Formenty, Pierre; Benedetti, Guido; Petrucci, Roberta; Barboza, Philippe; Van Herp, Michel; Kikoo, Marie Jose; Mondonge, Vital; Kiyele, Musa; Mbuyi, Gisele; Okitandjate, Antoine; Corbeil, Jacques; Boucher, Nancy; Tshapenda, Gaston; Raymond, Frederic; Makiala, Sheila; Kapetshi, Jimmy; Nsio, Justus (2019). "2017 Outbreak of Ebola Virus Disease in Northern Democratic Republic of Congo". The Journal of Infectious Diseases. 221 (5): 701–706. doi:10.1093/infdis/jiz107. PMID 30942884.
