Health authorities are responding to an Ebola outbreak in the Bulape health zone of Kasai province and asking neighbouring countries to strengthen plans to stop cross-border spread. Since the outbreak began in late August, WHO reports 48 confirmed and probable cases and 31 deaths. WHO is coordinating with nearby governments and names Angola as the top priority because it shares a land border with Kasai; several other countries are considered at moderate risk.
Charles Njuguna, WHO regional adviser for country readiness, said ministries received tools to carry out readiness assessments and develop response plans. Seven countries have completed the full process and WHO assesses regional preparedness as "moderate." A priority is surveillance at ports of entry, particularly along the Angola–DRC border, and WHO is working with the International Organization for Migration to monitor population movement in border areas.
A vaccination campaign began in Bulape on 14 September; at least 600 people have received the Ervebo vaccine, given to frontline health workers and contacts of cases. About 50 WHO experts support Congolese teams in surveillance, clinical care, infection prevention and control, logistics and community engagement, and a treatment centre has been set up. The Africa CDC mobilised a field team to help establish community-based surveillance and recruit community relays for household visits.
Contact tracing has improved sharply: follow-up rose from 19% a fortnight ago to more than 90%, and nearly 950 contacts are being monitored. Officials note community reluctance and hiding of sick people remain challenges, so teams will visit households to reassure people and explain actions to take when someone is ill. Samples analysed in Kinshasa identified the Zaire strain in the first confirmed case, a 34-year-old pregnant woman admitted on 20 August. The International Coordinating Group has approved shipment of about 45,000 additional vaccine doses to the DRC. Authorities say continued vigilance, rapid reporting, 21-day observation of contacts, vaccination of those at risk and avoidance of unsafe burials are essential to contain the outbreak.
Difficult words
- outbreak — sudden start of a disease in an area
- surveillance — careful watching and checking of disease cases
- port of entry — place where people or goods enter a countryports of entry
- vaccination campaign — organized effort to give vaccines to many people
- contact tracing — finding and following people who had contact
- community engagement — activities to involve and inform local people
- vigilance — careful attention to danger or possible problems
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- What challenges do teams face when community members hide sick people, and how could teams build trust during household visits?
- How can neighbouring countries strengthen plans at borders to stop cross-border spread of Ebola? Give specific actions mentioned in the article.
- What roles do vaccination and contact tracing play in containing this outbreak, and why are both important?
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