The World Health Organization has reported that out of the 38 confirmed Ebola cases in southern Congo, 31 have resulted in deaths. This new outbreak of the deadly virus is spreading rapidly, with over 900 contacts identified so far. Vaccinations have begun in the affected region, with more than 500 health care workers and contacts receiving crucial protection.
The fresh Ebola outbreak was declared in the locality of Bulape in Kasai, a region close to Angola, on September 5. Last week, the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced that the disease had spread from two districts to four.
To combat the outbreak, an additional batch of vaccines approved by the International Coordinating Group on Vaccine Provision will be arriving from Friday through Sunday. However, there have been challenges in implementing the vaccination process due to accessibility issues and delays in transporting the vaccines. The lack of storage infrastructure in Bulape has led to the vaccines being transported in small batches.
Dr. Patrick Otim, an official at WHO Africa’s program, emphasized the importance of vaccinating health care workers and contacts to prevent further spread of the virus. The WHO is working tirelessly to contain the outbreak and protect the population from this deadly disease.
The situation in Congo remains critical, and swift action is needed to prevent a further escalation of the outbreak. The WHO and other health organizations are working together to provide support and resources to the affected regions. It is essential for the international community to come together to combat this outbreak and prevent any more lives from being lost to Ebola.
– Ope Adetayo
