Africa CDC Vows to Support DRC, Neighboring Countries in Fighting Ebola

Addis Ababa July 19/2019 Africa Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) said it is committed to support the government of Democratic Republic of Congo and other neighboring countries in the fight against Ebola.

Briefing the local media today, Dr. John Nkengasong said 2,532 Ebola victims, of which 1,705 have died, occurred in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

However, about 700 confirmed cases have been cured, he said, adding that this revealed a considerable level of chance for survival.

Recently, 97 persons who have contracted Ebola have been identified in Goma, that is about 2 kms to the nearest city to Rwanda. Of these, 77 victims have been vaccinated, Nkengasong revealed.

In response to the outbreak, CDC deployed 41 experts from several disciplines, including data management, logistic and lab experts, the director stated.

Moreover, Africa CDC has trained over 800 local health care workers and community volunteers, and set up 6 laboratories that are used to detect the disease.

According to Nkengasong, the spread of Ebola will be contained within 3 months.

Referring to security challenges for support providers in neighboring countries and DRC, he asked the AU Peace and Security Council to ensure security.

WHO declared the outbreak of Ebola in Democratic Republic of Congo as public health emergency of international concern on July 17, 2019.

In line with this, the director called upon African countries and international communities to show solidarity for Congo.

Nkengasong also urged countries not to impose restriction on travelers coming from DRC as that is contrary to the international health regulation of 2005 to which WHO members states are subjected to.