Ebola still active in DRC
According to a new report by the World Health Organization (WHO), the Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) remains active and the cities of Beni and Butembo have become the new ‘hotspot’ of the disease.
Although response teams are continuing to enhance activities to mitigate potential clusters in these areas and prevent spread to other areas, significant risks for further spread of the disease remain. The WHO report states that continued challenges include: contacts lost to follow-up, delayed recognition of EVD in health centres, poor infection prevention and control in health centres, and reluctance among some cases to be treatment in Ebola treatment centres.
WHO said that the priority is to strengthen all components of the public health response in all affected areas and to continue to enhance operational readiness and preparedness in the non-affected areas of the DRC and neighbouring countries. It has advised against and restriction of travel and trade to the DRC based on the information that is currently available and is continuing to monitor and verify travel and trade measures if necessary. It said that travellers should seek medical advice before travel and should practise good hygiene.