Ebola Virus Disease

The Ebola outbreak in eastern Congo is now the second biggest in history, with 426 confirmed and probable cases, the health ministry said late on Thursday. TRANSCRIPT + The Ebola outbreak in eastern Congo is now the second biggest in history, with 426 confirmed and probable cases, the health ministry said late on Thursday. https://ift.tt/2BJZVe8

DAKAR - Health workers launched a door-to-door, four-day blitz to control malaria in Democratic Republic of Congo with the aim of cutting suspected Ebola cases in half. "It will make things a lot easier if malaria is taken out of the equation," Stefan Hoyer of the World Health Organization said by phone from Beni, epicentre of the Ebola outbreak. The town of Beni in North Kivu province, currently battling the worst Ebola outbreak in Congo's history, has also seen an eight-fold increase in malaria cases since last year. Children who went to health centres for malaria are believed to have contracted Ebola there, and about half of the people screened in Ebola centres only had malaria, said the WHO. If malaria is reduced, health workers will be able to focus on real Ebola patients and keep others away from the wards. Ebola has killed 240 people and infected more than 400 since July in an outbreak that shows little sign of abating. It is spread through contact with b...

The Ministry of Health of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) today announced that a randomized control trial has begun to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of drugs used in the treatment of Ebola patients. The trial is the first-ever multi drug trial for an Ebola treatment. It will form part of a multi-outbreak, multi-country study that was agreed to by partners under a World Health Organization (WHO) initiative.  “While our focus remains on bringing this outbreak to an end, the launch of the randomized control trial in DRC is an important step towards finally finding an Ebola treatment that will save lives,” said WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. “Until now, patients have been treated under a compassionate use protocol, with drugs that showed promise and had a good safety profile in laboratory conditions. The giant step DRC is taking now will bring clarity about what works best, and save many lives in years to come. We hope to one day say that the de...

Last weekend, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) reported a further 33 cases of the highly contagious disease, bringing the total number to 419. The World Health Organisation (WHO) identified three major ebola “red zones” as Kalunguta, Katwa and Beni - all of which located in the north east of the Congo. The WHO also warned the ebola situation in the DRC remains complex and challenging, adding it was confident its partners in the area could successfully control it. And in a chilling turn, the WHO warned health centres have been identified as unknowingly spreading the disease even more through the administration of medications and injections. The finding followed a flurry of 39 new infections in healthcare workers. Up to 36 cases were confirmed to have been reported between November 14 to 20, with seven being babies and six children between the ages of two and 17. One incident was of a pregnant woman being infected. Of the 36, ten are dead. The new numbers come as the...

IntraHealth Interview Highlights Lessons From 2014 West Africa Ebola Outbreak Nov 26, 2018 IntraHealth International’s “ VITAL ”: Getting to Zero: Lessons on Ebola and Global Health Security In this interview, Jessica Turner, Global Health Corps fellow at IntraHealth International, speaks with Oliver Johnson, coauthor of the book  “Getting to Zero: A Doctor and a Diplomate on the Ebola Frontline,” about how lessons from the 2014 West Africa Ebola outbreak are informing the current outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Turner writes, “As an international community, we have a responsibility to learn these lessons, and urge investment in and support for frontline health workers around the world. We must remember the damaging impact that politics can have on response efforts and encourage all parties to prioritize health and human life over their own agendas” (11/20). https://ift.tt/2SdbEqT

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The latest  Ebola epidemic in Democratic Republic of Congo is the worst ever recorded in that country, and it's proving especially difficult to curtail. Here, Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) tropical medicine advisor Tomas Jensen describes the challenges MSF teams face as they fight to contain the spread of the disease in an area of active conflict. MSF teams are caring for patients with Ebola, vaccinating and protecting health workers, and reinforcing health services so that people can receive treatment for other conditions without being exposed to the deadly virus.  https://ift.tt/2DZSHVp

IntraHealth Interview Highlights Lessons From 2014 West Africa Ebola Outbreak Nov 26, 2018 IntraHealth International’s “ VITAL ”: Getting to Zero: Lessons on Ebola and Global Health Security In this interview, Jessica Turner, Global Health Corps fellow at IntraHealth International, speaks with Oliver Johnson, coauthor of the book  “Getting to Zero: A Doctor and a Diplomate on the Ebola Frontline,” about how lessons from the 2014 West Africa Ebola outbreak are informing the current outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Turner writes, “As an international community, we have a responsibility to learn these lessons, and urge investment in and support for frontline health workers around the world. We must remember the damaging impact that politics can have on response efforts and encourage all parties to prioritize health and human life over their own agendas” (11/20). https://ift.tt/2SdbEqT

By Erin Blakemore November 25 When Ebola broke out in West Africa in 2014, it spread with dizzying speed — and outwitted responders. By the time the epidemic ended in 2016, more than 28,000 people had been infected and 11,325 had died. It didn’t have to be that way, write Pardis Sabeti and Lara Salahi. In “ Outbreak Culture: The Ebola Crisis and the Next Epidemic ,” they uncover the chaos behind the world’s response to the 2014-2016 Ebola outbreak, and posit how it could have been avoided. Sabeti, a genetic researcher, was on a team that determined when and where Ebola first jumped from animals to humans. But as she collaborated with officials on the ground in West Africa, she noticed the response was uncoordinated. Interpersonal tensions brewed. Politics and logistics slowed down the response process. All too often, fear prevailed, with disastrous consequences. Salahi, a journalist, and Sabeti make a case for what is called “outbreak culture,” a pernicious, toxic situatio...

Posted: Nov. 26, 2018 7:00 am Updated: Nov. 26, 2018 7:23 am DAKAR, Senegal (AP) — Congo has begun the first-ever trial to test the effectiveness and safety of four experimental Ebola drugs, the first time scientists have directly compared such treatments, the World Health Organization said Monday. The U.N. health agency described the multi-drug trial as "a giant step" that would "bring clarity about what works best." "While our focus remains on bringing this outbreak to an end, the launch of the randomized control trial in DRC (Congo) is an important step toward finally finding an Ebola treatment that will save lives," said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. Since the beginning of the Ebola outbreak in the North Kivu province in August, four therapeutic drugs have been used to treat patients, namely mAb 114, ZMapp, Remdesivir and Regeneron, according to Congo's Health Ministry. To date, more than 160 people have been treated with ...

By Erin Blakemore November 25 at 9:00 AM When Ebola broke out in West Africa in 2014, it spread with dizzying speed — and outwitted responders. By the time the epidemic ended in 2016, more than 28,000 people had been infected and 11,325 had died. It didn’t have to be that way, write Pardis Sabeti and Lara Salahi. In “ Outbreak Culture: The Ebola Crisis and the Next Epidemic ,” they uncover the chaos behind the world’s response to the 2014-2016 Ebola outbreak, and posit how it could have been avoided. Sabeti, a genetic researcher, was on a team that determined when and where Ebola first jumped from animals to humans. But as she collaborated with officials on the ground in West Africa, she noticed the response was uncoordinated. Interpersonal tensions brewed. Politics and logistics slowed down the response process. All too often, fear prevailed, with disastrous consequences. Salahi, a journalist, and Sabeti make a case for what is called “outbreak culture,” a pernicious, tox...

Congolese authorities have authorised clinical trials for four experimental Ebola treatments, which will allow researchers to collect valuable data about their effectiveness, the health ministry said on Saturday. Health workers have already administered therapeutic treatments to more than 150 Ebola patients since August in an effort to contain the worst of Democratic Republic of Congo’s 10 outbreaks of the hemorrhagic fever since 1976. But until now doctors have decided which treatment to use on a case-by-case basis. In the clinical trial, the choice of treatment will now be randomised. Treatment will still be free of charge, the ministry added in a statement. “Precious information about the effectiveness of the treatments obtained during the clinical trial will allow for the development of these treatments on a wider scale to save more lives,” the ministry said. The four treatments are mAb114, which was developed by the U.S. government; ZMapp, an intravenous treatment made by Ma...

Highlights 12 November, WHO’s Director General Dr. Tedros, head of emergencies Dr. Salama, and head of emergencies in WHO Regional Office for Africa Dr. Soce Fall, visited DRC to meet with the teams in Beni and with government officials and partners. They were accompanied by the head of the UN Peacekeeping mission USG Jean-Pierre Lacroix. Their mission was to assess what further support is needed and to recognize the hard work of teams on the ground. They also met with the Prime Minister, the Minister of Health and other government officials. A budget for a broader humanitarian action in the Ebola affected areas is currently being developed that includes education, child protection, essential household items, nutrition and the use of unconditional cash grants. SITUATION IN NUMBERS 340 total reported cases (MoH, 12 November 2018) 302 confirmed cases (MoH, 12 November 2018) 212 deaths recorded (MoH, 12 November 2018) 4,613 contacts under surveillance (MoH, 12 November 2...

By Erin Blakemore November 25 at 9:00 AM When Ebola broke out in West Africa in 2014, it spread with dizzying speed — and outwitted responders. By the time the epidemic ended in 2016, more than 28,000 people had been infected and 11,325 had died. It didn’t have to be that way, write Pardis Sabeti and Lara Salahi. In “ Outbreak Culture: The Ebola Crisis and the Next Epidemic ,” they uncover the chaos behind the world’s response to the 2014-2016 Ebola outbreak, and posit how it could have been avoided. Sabeti, a genetic researcher, was on a team that determined when and where Ebola first jumped from animals to humans. But as she collaborated with officials on the ground in West Africa, she noticed the response was uncoordinated. Interpersonal tensions brewed. Politics and logistics slowed down the response process. All too often, fear prevailed, with disastrous consequences. Salahi, a journalist, and Sabeti make a case for what is called “outbreak culture,” a pernicious, tox...

The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) continues to steadily grow — creeping closer to becoming the second largest outbreak recorded globally (current second highest is 425 cases). Today, the DRC reported 399 confirmed and probable cases for this outbreak that started Aug. 1. Why it matters: The country is grappling with the combination of a deadly virus in areas of conflict, multiple other diseases, and attempts to prepare safe locations for upcoming elections next month. DRC's Ministry of Health says it is sending additional rapid response teams for "defensive" purposes to the city of Butembo, which has roughly 1 million people and is located south of the epicenter of Beni. There's been a worrisome uptick in cases there. The World Health Organization issued an External Situation Report Wednesday that says they "remain confident" the outbreak can be contained, despite the continued challenges. This was despite last Fri...

Authorities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo ( DRC ) have approved clinical trials for four experimental Ebola treatments, even as the deadly disease's outbreak among newborn babies raises new fears. The DRC's health ministry on Saturday said the clinical trials  will allow researchers to collect valuable data in a country that is battling its  worst ever outbreak of the hemorrhagic fever. "Precious information about the effectiveness of the treatments obtained during the clinical trial will allow for the development of these treatments on a wider scale to save more lives," the ministry said. The four treatments are mAb114, which was developed by the United States government; ZMapp, an intravenous treatment made by Mapp Biopharmaceutical; Remdesivir, made by Gilead Sciences; and Regeneron's REGN-EB3. {articleGUID} Recent figures say 151 patients received one of the four drugs. Of those, 76 recovered, 44 died and 31 are still hospitalised - a morta...

By Andrew Ndhlovu and Jackson Soko Lilongwe — Government says it has put in place appropriate measures to reduce the chances of fury Ebola Virus spreading into the country. Minister of Health and Population, Atupele Muluzi, was speaking in Parliament on Friday in his response to a supplementary question that was posed by Dowa North Member of Parliament, Enos Chitatanga who wanted to find out how prepared government is to block Ebola in the country. "The Ministry of Health is on alert and we are monitoring closely together with World Health Organization (WHO) any development of Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). "Our soldiers from Malawi Defence Force who are deployed in DRC are being screened when they are leaving and even when coming back to check if they have contracted the virus," Muluzi said. He further said government, through his ministry, has set up infection- inspection centres throughout the country to ensure that people entering this country...

The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) continues to steadily grow — creeping closer to becoming the second largest outbreak recorded globally (current second highest is 425 cases). Today, the DRC reported 399 confirmed and probable cases for this outbreak that started Aug. 1. Why it matters: The country is grappling with the combination of a deadly virus in areas of conflict, multiple other diseases, and attempts to prepare safe locations for upcoming elections next month. DRC's Ministry of Health says it is sending additional rapid response teams for "defensive" purposes to the city of Butembo, which has roughly 1 million people and is located south of the epicenter of Beni. There's been a worrisome uptick in cases there. The World Health Organization issued an External Situation Report Wednesday that says they "remain confident" the outbreak can be contained, despite the continued challenges. This was despite last Fri...

Authorities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo ( DRC ) have approved clinical trials for four experimental Ebola treatments, even as the deadly disease's outbreak among newborn babies raises new fears. The DRC's health ministry on Saturday said the clinical trials  will allow researchers to collect valuable data in a country that is battling its  worst ever outbreak of the hemorrhagic fever. "Precious information about the effectiveness of the treatments obtained during the clinical trial will allow for the development of these treatments on a wider scale to save more lives," the ministry said. The four treatments are mAb114, which was developed by the United States government; ZMapp, an intravenous treatment made by Mapp Biopharmaceutical; Remdesivir, made by Gilead Sciences; and Regeneron's REGN-EB3. {articleGUID} Recent figures say 151 patients received one of the four drugs. Of those, 76 recovered, 44 died and 31 are still hospitalised - a morta...

Back in 2014 Emma was 23-years-old. She was studying Management in Freetown, the country´s capital.She knew that a deadly virus transmitted through body fluids was causing a lot of suffering. And then one day she got high fever, diarrhea, violent vomiting and joint pain. Emma Bangura, Ebola survivor “My friend lost her father. And I visited her. I was there for three days. The father died. They buried him. And I was still in the house. After they buried him I was back where I stayed. And I started to feel fever. I was feeling so hopeless at that time… The disease was attacking me. I was afraid. Because they said: ´whenever they take you to the treatment centre you will not come back again´. So I started to lock myself inside the room”. Emma was isolated for 6 days at home, and then taken to a local clinic. She eventually won her battle against Ebola, but it was not without cost. Emma was forced to stop her studies and now she lives at home with few prospects of finding a job. The ...

The documentary photographer discusses the realities of shooting amid one of the world’s worst Ebola outbreaks in history During the Wellcome Photography Prize submission period, which closes 17 December 2018, British Journal of Photography is profiling photographers who are exploring the importance of health in society and the impact health issues have on people and communities worldwide. In line with the Outbreaks category , BJP spoke to Marcello Bonfanti, who took portraits of women and children Ebola-survivors in Sierra Leone. In 2014 Sierra Leone was in the grip of one of the worst outbreaks of Ebola the world has ever seen. It was clear that without a coordinated, international response, the deathly disease would become a pandemic, threatening global health security. At the time, Sierra Leone, which ranked 181st out of 188 countries in the United Nations Human Development Index   (a summary measure of average achievement in key dimensions of human development) and is one ...

The documentary photographer discusses the realities of shooting amid one of the world’s worst Ebola outbreaks in history During the Wellcome Photography Prize submission period, which closes 17 December 2018, British Journal of Photography is profiling photographers who are exploring the importance of health in society and the impact health issues have on people and communities worldwide. In line with the Outbreaks category , BJP spoke to Marcello Bonfanti, who took portraits of women and children Ebola-survivors in Sierra Leone. In 2014 Sierra Leone was in the grip of one of the worst outbreaks of Ebola the world has ever seen. It was clear that without a coordinated, international response, the deathly disease would become a pandemic, threatening global health security. At the time, Sierra Leone, which ranked 181st out of 188 countries in the United Nations Human Development Index   (a summary measure of average achievement in key dimensions of human development) and is one ...