Ebola Virus Disease

Congolese health authorities have announced a record 26 deaths for Sunday alone among those affected by the Ebola epidemic in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. In the province of North Kivu, “26 new deaths of confirmed cases” were recorded on April 28, indicates the Ministry of Health in its daily bulletin on the epidemiological situation dated Monday. “All 26 people died on Sunday, April 28” and “this is the first time this figure has been reached,” adds the Ministry of Health Since the beginning of the epidemic, “in total, there were 957 deaths (891 confirmed and 66 probable) and 411 people healed,” says the ministry. According to this source, at least 33 health personnel infected during the care of patients are among the deceased. This tenth Ebola epidemic on Congolese soil was declared on 1 August in North-Kivu province (northeast) and marginally in neighboring Ituri. Response activities are regularly hampered by insecurity and violence in this region infested by armed g...

Dr Ghebreyesus visited the Butembo region along with Dr Matshidiso Moeti. It was in Butembo on April 19 that WHO epidemiologist Dr Richard Mouzoko was killed by armed men while he and colleagues were working on the response to what is the second-worst outbreak of Ebola in history. Dr Ghebreyesus said: “Dr Mouzoko’s death moved me profoundly. “On this mission, he was on my mind the whole time as we met with other dedicated colleagues. “I am also profoundly worried about the situation. Cases are increasing because of violent acts that set us back each time. We have already begun to adjust our response. “We are entering a phase where we will need major shifts in the response. WHO and partners cannot tackle these challenges without the international community stepping in to fill the sizeable funding gap.” Dr Ghebreyesus and Dr Moeti travelled to the region to express their gratitude and show support to WHO and partner organisation staff, while also assessing the next steps needed ...

Today the ministry of health in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) recorded 27 new cases of Ebola, setting a new single-day record for this 9-month outbreak on the far eastern edge of the country. Late last week, officials recorded 23 cases in one day, the previous high. Deadliest day In addition to the 27 cases recorded today, the ministry also recorded 26 deaths—also the highest daily total to date—15 of which took place in the community. Community deaths are linked to further virus transmission, as they can signal improper burial practices and contact with a patient's bodily fluids. The cases and fatalities raise outbreak totals to 1,466 cases (1,400 confirmed and 66 probable) and 957 deaths. A total of 239 suspected cases are still under investigation. The sobering numbers follow a weekend of increased virus activity. The ministry recorded 41 cases over the weekend and 31 new deaths, making this the most deadly series of days in this outbreak. The 3-day total of 70...

In a presentation at European Congress for Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Disease ( ECCMID 2019 ) on the innovative application of transcriptomics to biomarker infections, Timothy Minogue, PhD, department chief of the Diagnostic Systems Division with the United States Army Medical Research Institute, presented on micro-RNAs (miRNAs) for Ebola virus. Contagion® spoke to Minogue in an exclusive interview to learn about his research and presentation on what is being regarded as a new path being explored to understand the pathogenesis and for the development of prognostic biomarkers. [embedded content] Interview transcript (modified slightly for readability):  Contagion®: Can you explain the capabilities of miRNAs for Ebola? Minogue: Micro RNAs (miRNA) for Ebola have 2 contexts. There is the host profiling side, where essentially you can develop classifiers for miRNAs that would be indicative of infection – whether that be Ebola or other pathogens. And then there is the ...

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) today said Ebola infections have been confirmed in 23 more people, a record number for one day, coming on the heels of worsening conditions in hard hit areas of North Kivu and Ituri provinces. The surge of cases, which often happens after attacks on the Ebola response, puts the new outbreak total within striking distance of 1,400 cases, and today the fatality count reached 900. The 23 new cases are from eight different locations, 9 of them in Katwa, one of the main epicenters and the scene of one of the recent violent episodes that stalled important response activities—including case finding and contact tracing—that are key steps in battling the outbreak. The other new cases are from Mandima (3), Musienene (2), Butembo (2), and one each in Kalunguta, Vuhovi, Komanda, and Mabalako. Health officials are also investigating 260 suspected cases. The new cases announced by the DRC health ministry today boost the outbreak total to 1,396 cases, which ...

WHEN THE Ebola virus appeared in Congo last year, the 10th outbreak in four decades, there was some hope of progress against what very often produces a trail of death. The hope was that a new vaccine developed by Merck after the epidemic in 2014-2016 would be effective and contain the outbreak, if enough people could be inoculated. Many months later, the news about the Merck vaccine VSV-EBOV in a clinical trial is promising indeed: It has shown to have an almost 98 percent efficacy . But lately, worrisome developments have overtaken the good news. Ebola infections are rising. The reasons offer a window on the dangers when war and insecurity mix with disease. Human fears and ignorance aggravated by military coercion and violence create formidable medical and biological challenges. This same lethal nexus is showing itself in the cholera epidemic in war-ravaged Yemen, and in the attacks on anti-polio campaigners in Afghanistan and Pakistan . Global public-health authorities need to f...

April has brought worsening conditions to the ongoing Ebola outbreak in North Kivu province, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), according to the latest disease outbreak news update from the World Health Organization (WHO), as cases continue to mount. Both community resistance and violent attacks are on the rise in hot spots such as Katwa and Butembo, the WHO said, and a perceived lull in cases only reflects that surveillance activity has been interrupted due to ongoing security threats. Efforts halted in some areas "This past week witnessed a notable escalation of security incidents surrounding the Ebola virus disease (EVD) response efforts," the agency said. The outbreak region saw two violent attacks on health centers treating Ebola patients, resulting in the death of one WHO epidemiologist, and the injury of two other health workers. Today officials in the DRC said 11 people suspected to have carried out the attack have been arrested. "To ensure the safety ...

Joanne Silberner The BMJ The World Health Organization has halted some of its activities in areas of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) affected by the Ebola virus until it can ensure the safety of medical staff and others responding to the outbreak. It said that it was working with the DRC government to review and strengthen security measures, including establishing security perimeters around staff residences and ensuring that staff comply with curfews. The moves follow the killing on 19 April of Richard Valery Mouzoko Kiboung, … http://bit.ly/2UM0zy1

Stamford, Conn. – April 22, 2019 – Americares is delivering more than 4 tons of critical medicine and medical supplies to treat patients and protect health workers fighting the deadly Ebola epidemic in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Since August 2018, more than 1,300 cases and 870 deaths have been reported according to the Ministry of Health, making this the second-largest and second-deadliest Ebola outbreak on record. Political unrest and violence against health workers in the North Kivu and Ituri provinces have made it difficult to monitor the spread of the virus, resulting in a continued increase in cases. “Thousands of lives are at stake,” said Americares Director of Emergency Response Brian Scheel. “Health workers offer the best hope for containing the spread of the disease, and this shipment will provide the tools they need to protect themselves and care for patients.” Americares is working with longtime partner International Medical Corps to provide antibiotics, firs...

April has brought worsening conditions to the ongoing Ebola outbreak in North Kivu province, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), according to the latest disease outbreak news update from the World Health Organization (WHO), as cases continue to mount. Both community resistance and violent attacks are on the rise in hot spots such as Katwa and Butembo, the WHO said, and a perceived lull in cases only reflects that surveillance activity has been interrupted due to ongoing security threats. Efforts halted in some areas "This past week witnessed a notable escalation of security incidents surrounding the Ebola virus disease (EVD) response efforts," the agency said. The outbreak region saw two violent attacks on health centers treating Ebola patients, resulting in the death of one WHO epidemiologist, and the injury of two other health workers. Today officials in the DRC said 11 people suspected to have carried out the attack have been arrested. "To ensure the safety ...

(BUTEMBO, Congo) — Doctors at the epicenter of Congo’s Ebola crisis are threatening to go on strike indefinitely if health workers are attacked again. The march on Wednesday comes after a Cameroon national working for the World Health Organization was killed last week on assignment in eastern Congo. The Brief Newsletter Sign up to receive the top stories you need to know right now. View Sample Dr. Kalima Nzanzu said he wants residents to know that the doctors and other medical staff are in eastern Congo to help fight the current Ebola outbreak. He urged government authorities to provide greater security for the Ebola response. Eastern Congo is a highly volatile area where a variety of armed groups operate. Mistrust of government authorities has complicated the efforts to contain the deadly Ebola disease since the outbreak began in August. Some residents also falsely accuse foreigners of bringing Ebola to the area. Contact us at editors@time.com . http://bit.ly/2XMByV...

Health care workers in the center of the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo say if the government doesn't improve their security in one week, they will walk off the job. RACHEL MARTIN, HOST: Health care workers in the center of the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo say they may go on strike if the attacks on them do not stop. Threats and violent assaults have become a way of life for them. Late last week, two hospitals were attacked, and an epidemiologist with the World Health Organization was killed. Now these health care workers say if the government doesn't improve their security in one week, they will walk off the job. NPR's Nurith Aizenman has been following the story and joins us in the studio. Nurith, just describe the violence that these workers are facing on a daily basis. NURITH AIZENMAN, BYLINE: Yeah, so listeners might have heard of some of these high-profile attacks on Ebola treatment centers that began in February. Two o...

(BUTEMBO, Congo) — Doctors at the epicenter of Congo’s Ebola crisis are threatening to go on strike indefinitely if health workers are attacked again. The march on Wednesday comes after a Cameroon national working for the World Health Organization was killed last week on assignment in eastern Congo. The Brief Newsletter Sign up to receive the top stories you need to know right now. View Sample Dr. Kalima Nzanzu said he wants residents to know that the doctors and other medical staff are in eastern Congo to help fight the current Ebola outbreak. He urged government authorities to provide greater security for the Ebola response. Eastern Congo is a highly volatile area where a variety of armed groups operate. Mistrust of government authorities has complicated the efforts to contain the deadly Ebola disease since the outbreak began in August. Some residents also falsely accuse foreigners of bringing Ebola to the area. Contact us at editors@time.com . http://bit.ly/2XMByV...

The Ebola epidemic in West Africa from 2013 to 2016  left more than 11,000 dead and panicked the American public when a few isolated cases turned up on U.S. soil. By the time the outbreak was contained, the international community had learned valuable lessons about how to combat the virus. Now, a new outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is testing that knowledge — and the political will of the global community to mount a robust response. With more than 830 deaths since August 2018 , the epidemic in northeastern DRC is the second-largest recorded, behind the multi-country epidemic in West Africa. The DRC outbreak has not yet crossed international borders. Moreover, responders are applying new solutions, including a vaccine that has proved effective. But many health experts argue that the threat is underestimated, leading to a dangerously inadequate global response. As of late March, the World Health Organization (WHO) had received less than half of its $148 m...

Stamford, Conn. – April 22, 2019 – Americares is delivering more than 4 tons of critical medicine and medical supplies to treat patients and protect health workers fighting the deadly Ebola epidemic in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Since August 2018, more than 1,300 cases and 870 deaths have been reported according to the Ministry of Health, making this the second-largest and second-deadliest Ebola outbreak on record. Political unrest and violence against health workers in the North Kivu and Ituri provinces have made it difficult to monitor the spread of the virus, resulting in a continued increase in cases. “Thousands of lives are at stake,” said Americares Director of Emergency Response Brian Scheel. “Health workers offer the best hope for containing the spread of the disease, and this shipment will provide the tools they need to protect themselves and care for patients.” Americares is working with longtime partner International Medical Corps to provide antibiotics, firs...

GOMA - As the Democratic Republic of Congo grapples with the second largest ever Ebola outbreak, the UN World Food Programme (WFP) has warned that the resources needed to support its work are not keeping pace with the recent increase in transmission and the potential risk of the virus spreading within DRC and to neighbouring countries. WFP helps contain Ebola by providing food to people potentially carrying the virus, and by providing crucial logistical services, including flights, which enable responders to reach new or remote outbreak areas quickly. The Emergency Committee convened by the World Health Organisation (WHO) Director-General recently expressed deep concern about the recent increase in transmission in specific areas, and the potential risk of spread to neighbouring countries. The last few weeks have also seen a drastic deterioration of security in Ebola hotspots, further complicating the response and threatening the lives of patients as well as medical workers. Last wee...

Stamford, Conn. – April 22, 2019 – Americares is delivering more than 4 tons of critical medicine and medical supplies to treat patients and protect health workers fighting the deadly Ebola epidemic in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Since August 2018, more than 1,300 cases and 870 deaths have been reported according to the Ministry of Health, making this the second-largest and second-deadliest Ebola outbreak on record. Political unrest and violence against health workers in the North Kivu and Ituri provinces have made it difficult to monitor the spread of the virus, resulting in a continued increase in cases. “Thousands of lives are at stake,” said Americares Director of Emergency Response Brian Scheel. “Health workers offer the best hope for containing the spread of the disease, and this shipment will provide the tools they need to protect themselves and care for patients.” Americares is working with longtime partner International Medical Corps to provide antibiotics, firs...

There's been a deadly escalation of the violence against health workers trying to curb the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Since Friday there have been two separate attacks. AUDIE CORNISH, HOST: Now to the Democratic Republic of Congo, where for months health workers have been struggling to contain an Ebola outbreak. Despite the fact that more than 100,000 people have been vaccinated, there's been a surge of new cases. And more than 1,300 people have been infected so far. The biggest obstacle to stopping the outbreak - armed groups who keep attacking health workers. In just the last few days, there were two assaults. Here to tell us more is NPR's Nurith Aizenman. Welcome to the studio. NURITH AIZENMAN, BYLINE: Hi, Audie. CORNISH: Give us the latest on these attacks first. AIZENMAN: Well, the first one was on Friday afternoon. It was at a local hospital in a city called Butembo. That's one of the current epicenters of the outbreak. And about ...

Over the weekend and through today, the ministry of health in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) recorded 23 new Ebola cases and 19 deaths, while a Katwa hospital saw a violent attack that left one of the assailants dead. The totals swell outbreak numbers to 1,340 cases, of which 1,274 are confirmed. The number of deaths rose to 874. Katwa hospital attack The Katwa attack came 1 day after a hospital attack in Butembo took the life of a World Health Organization (WHO) epidemiologist deployed to the outbreak region. Both Katwa and Butembo have been hot spots of virus activity in the last several months—more than half of all cases reported in recent weeks originated in Katwa. According to officials, the attack in Katwa took place around 3 a.m. local time on Apr 20 at the sub-coordination office located at the Katwa Reference General Hospital. Police controlled the attack, and three assailants were wounded in addition to the assailant that the police killed. The attacks are a...

DENVER (CBS4) – State emergency planners spent Monday testing Colorado’s ability to respond during a health crisis. A mock emergency focused on patients suspected of having Ebola and the procedures to prevent an outbreak of the infectious disease. (credit: CBS) The exercise involved hospitals, paramedics and some county health departments. It was a safe way to practice Colorado’s emergency response to make sure the very best practices are in place. Greg Stasinos, a section chief with the Office of Emergency Preparedness and Response, was the incident manager overseeing the response to the mock emergency which involved a plane landing at Centennial Airport. (credit: CBS) “It contains eight individuals who are ill,” said Stasinos to CBS4 Health Specialist Kathy Walsh. “We think it might be Ebola.” In the exercise, the travelers were triaged on the tarmac. The situation became a potential health crisis. Communication and coordination were critical. (credit: CBS) “We have a ...

[unable to retrieve full-text content] Armed Groups Are Attacking Health Workers Responding To Ebola Outbreak    NPR There's been a deadly escalation of the violence against health workers trying to curb the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Since Friday ... https://n.pr/2PnPIsO

(BUTEMBO, Congo) — Militia members attacked an Ebola treatment center hours after another attack killed a staffer with the World Health Organization, a Congolese official said Saturday. Butembo city’s deputy mayor, Patrick Kambale Tsiko, told The Associated Press that the attackers armed with machetes tried to burn down the center in Katwa district overnight. Military and police guarding the center killed one militia member and detained five others, he said. Such violence has deeply complicated efforts to contain what has become the second-deadliest Ebola virus outbreak in history, with the number of new cases jumping each time treatment and prevention work is disrupted. An attack on Friday on a hospital in Butembo killed an epidemiologist from Cameroon who had been deployed to the outbreak in eastern Congo. Tsiko cited witnesses as saying the attackers wrongly blamed foreigners for bringing the deadly virus to the region. The Brief Newsletter Sign up to receive the top stori...

By Al-Hadji Kudra Maliro | AP April 20 at 4:02 PM BUTEMBO, Congo — Militia members attacked an Ebola treatment center hours after another attack killed a staffer with the World Health Organization, a Congolese official said Saturday. Butembo city’s deputy mayor, Patrick Kambale Tsiko, told The Associated Press that the attackers armed with machetes tried to burn down the center in Katwa district overnight. Military and police guarding the center killed one militia member and detained five others, he said. Such violence has deeply complicated efforts to contain what has become the second-deadliest Ebola virus outbreak in history, with the number of new cases jumping each time treatment and prevention work is disrupted. An attack on Friday on a hospital in Butembo killed an epidemiologist from Cameroon who had been deployed to the outbreak in eastern Congo. Tsiko cited witnesses as saying the attackers wrongly blamed foreigners for bringing the deadly virus to the region. T...

[unable to retrieve full-text content] The world's second-biggest Ebola outbreak is still raging. Here's why.    National Geographic Despite a coordinated response and a vaccine, the Democratic Republic of the Congo's struggle with the deadly virus seems to have no quick end in sight. https://on.natgeo.com/2KNAtut

An Ebola epidemic thundering through heavily populated provinces in the northeastern Democratic Republic of the Congo has sickened more than 110 people in the past week —despite the efforts of specialist medical teams, an effective vaccine, and new treatments that are being tested in the region. The outbreak already is the second-largest on record, behind the epidemic that burned through West Africa from 2014 to 2016, killing more than 11,300 people . The World Health Organization has reported 1,290 cases of the Ebola virus disease in the recent outbreak, and as many as 833 deaths in North Kivu, a province bordering Rwanda and Uganda in the eastern DRC. In its most extreme form, the viral hemorrhagic fever leads to uncontrollable bleeding and death. https://on.natgeo.com/2KNAtut

Shutterstock The Ebola epidemic in West Africa from 2013 to 2016  left more than 11,000 dead and panicked the American public when a few isolated cases turned up on U.S. soil. By the time the outbreak was contained, the international community had learned valuable lessons about how to combat the virus. Now, a new outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is testing that knowledge — and the political will of the global community to mount a robust response. With more than 830 deaths since August 2018 , the epidemic in northeastern DRC is the second-largest recorded, behind the multi-country epidemic in West Africa. The DRC outbreak has not yet crossed international borders. Moreover, responders are applying new solutions, including a vaccine that has proved effective. But many health experts argue that the threat is underestimated, leading to a dangerously inadequate global response. As of late March, the World Health Organization (WHO) had received less than h...

An Ebola epidemic thundering through heavily populated provinces in the northeastern Democratic Republic of the Congo has sickened more than 110 people in the past week —despite the efforts of specialist medical teams, an effective vaccine, and new treatments that are being tested in the region. The outbreak already is the second-largest on record, behind the epidemic that burned through West Africa from 2014 to 2016, killing more than 11,300 people . The World Health Organization has reported 1,290 cases of the Ebola virus disease in the recent outbreak, and as many as 833 deaths in North Kivu, a province bordering Rwanda and Uganda in the eastern DRC. In its most extreme form, the viral hemorrhagic fever leads to uncontrollable bleeding and death. https://on.natgeo.com/2KNAtut