Ebola resurgence in Democratic Republic of the Congo: A rising health concern

Abstract

Recently, the health authorities in Democratic Republic of the Congo have confirmed one case of Ebola Virus Disease in North Kivu.1WHO The Democratic Republic of the Congo Investigates Suspected Ebola Case in North Kivu.2022https://www.afro.who.int/countries/democratic/republic/congo/news/democratic/republic/Congo/investigate/suspected/Ebola/case/north/kivuGoogle Scholar The resurgence comes less than two months after declaring over the last outbreak.2Heilprin John Ebola Resurgence Declared in DRC.2022https://healthpolicy-watchnewsGoogle Scholar The virus is epidemic mainly in country with a case fatality rate of more than 50%. Ebola virus is spread primarily via direct contact with the bodily fluids of infected individuals.3CDCEbola (Ebola virus disease).https://www.cdc.govGoogle Scholar WHO's recommended diagnostic tests for EVD include Automated or Semi-automated nucleic acid tests and Rapid Antigen Detection Tests.4WHOEbola Virus Disease.https://www.who.int/news/room-fact-sheets/detal/ebola-virus-diseaseDate: 2022Google Scholar Since its discovery in 1976, 15 outbreaks of Ebola have occurred in DRC. Between 2018 and 2022 more than one outbreak has occurred every year, summing up to seven outbreaks in five years.5UN-GENEVADRC declares new Ebola outbreak after confirmed case in North Kivu – WHO.https://www.ungeneva.org/en/news-media/news/2022/08/la-rdc-declare-une-nouvelle-epidemie-debola-apres-la-confirmation-dun-casGoogle Scholar In North Kivu province, the first outbreak recorded 3470 EVD cases from 2018 to 2020, in which 3317 cases were confirmed.6WHOEbola Virus Disease – Democratic Republic of the Congo.2020Google Scholar In 2021, 11 cases were confirmed, and one was probably making a total of 12 cases.7WHO | Regional Office for AfricaEbola outbreak in Democratic Republic of the Congo declared over.https://www.afro.who.int/news/ebola-outbreak-democratic-republic-congo-declared-overDate: 2022Google Scholar The last outbreak was between 23 April and 4 July 2022 in some provinces with only five cases recorded.8Ebola virus disease – Democratic Republic of the Congo.Who.int. 2022; ([Retrieved from:)https://www.who.int/emergencies/disease-outbreak-news/item/2022-DON398Google Scholar The current resurgence was announced on 22 August 2022 following the death of a 46-year-old woman on 15 August at North Kivu who was reported to show signs of Ebola virus.9The Democratic Republic of the Congo Declares Ebola Resurgence in North Kivu. WHO | Regional Office for Africa. 2022https://www.afro.who.int/countries/democratic-republic-of-congo/news/democratic-republic-congo-declares-ebola-resurgence-north-kivuGoogle Scholar Further investigations are being carried out by WHO professionals and health officials at the provincial office of the Biomedical Research National Institute.9The Democratic Republic of the Congo Declares Ebola Resurgence in North Kivu. WHO | Regional Office for Africa. 2022https://www.afro.who.int/countries/democratic-republic-of-congo/news/democratic-republic-congo-declares-ebola-resurgence-north-kivuGoogle Scholar,10Ebola virus disease – Democratic Republic of the Congo.Who.int. 2022; ([Retrieved from:)https://www.who.int/emergencies/disease-outbreak-news/item/2022-DON404Google Scholar WHO and the health ministry have made preventive and control interventions such as investigation and discovery of new cases, sensitize the community about the re-emergence of Ebola and provision of ring vaccination.8Ebola virus disease – Democratic Republic of the Congo.Who.int. 2022; ([Retrieved from:)https://www.who.int/emergencies/disease-outbreak-news/item/2022-DON398Google Scholar Moreover, health authorities in North Kivu have previously succeeded in stopping several Ebola outbursts, thereby, they hope to put the resurgence under control soon.9The Democratic Republic of the Congo Declares Ebola Resurgence in North Kivu. WHO | Regional Office for Africa. 2022https://www.afro.who.int/countries/democratic-republic-of-congo/news/democratic-republic-congo-declares-ebola-resurgence-north-kivuGoogle Scholar WHO has also stated measures to prevent human-human and wildlife-human transmission,8Ebola virus disease – Democratic Republic of the Congo.Who.int. 2022; ([Retrieved from:)https://www.who.int/emergencies/disease-outbreak-news/item/2022-DON398Google Scholar and they are collaborating with health facilities in DRC to stop further spread of the disease.9The Democratic Republic of the Congo Declares Ebola Resurgence in North Kivu. WHO | Regional Office for Africa. 2022https://www.afro.who.int/countries/democratic-republic-of-congo/news/democratic-republic-congo-declares-ebola-resurgence-north-kivuGoogle Scholar The Eastern part of DRC has been an arena for armed conflicts for decades. Consequently, prevention of future outbreaks in this zone is challenged by a number of political and socio-economic factors such as lack of political stability, insufficient health systems and poverty as well as emergence of other outbreaks of COVID-19, cholera and measles.8Ebola virus disease – Democratic Republic of the Congo.Who.int. 2022; ([Retrieved from:)https://www.who.int/emergencies/disease-outbreak-news/item/2022-DON398Google Scholar The essential aspect of preventing EVD transmission is to avoid direct bodily contact with infected individuals and their body fluids. Vitally, WHO should ensure adherence to universal control measures in all health care facilities.11Saeed S. Hasan S. Ahmad S. Masood R. Ebola virus: a global public health menace: a narrative review.J Fam Med Prim Care. 2019; 8: 2189Crossref PubMed Google Scholar Output containing measure including ensuring safe and dignified burial of the dead, identifying people who physically contacted Ebola patients and monitoring their health for 21 days, emphasizing isolation from the infected and hygiene to prevent further spread of the virus. Health-care workers and visitors should ensure adherence of precautions when caring for patients regardless of their presumed diagnosis including proper hygiene, wearing PPE and safe injection practices.4WHOEbola Virus Disease.https://www.who.int/news/room-fact-sheets/detal/ebola-virus-diseaseDate: 2022Google Scholar Lastly, avoiding direct contact with infected animals should be adhered and consume well-cooked animal-foods. This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.