New Ebola outbreak in the Congo, in addition to the COVID-19 pandemic – Naturopathy naturopathy specialist portal

Ebola, measles, and COVID-19 – dangerous eruptions in the Congo

In the democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), there is a new Ebola outbreak. At the same time, the new Coronavirus is circulating and that the country has to contend with a massive measles epidemic.

Actually, the Ebola epidemic in the Congo was after 22 months as almost survived. A total of 2.268 deaths were so far recorded in the course of the outbreak. Now several new infections have occurred on the other side of the country and also COVID-19 has reached the Congo. In addition, a measles epidemic which has already claimed thousands of lives raging for two years. Through the combined outbreak of a significant worsening of the Situation threatens to happen, even if the Minister of health Eteni Longondo is hoped that the new Ebola outbreak is quickly contained.

The last outbreak passed almost

Numerous outbreaks of Ebola virus disease reported in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the past decades. The last began in the year 2018 and focused on the North Kivu province in the East of the country. This is almost survived – if up to 25. June, no new cases occur, would achieved the goal. However, six new cases, including four deaths, in the vicinity of Mbandaka in Equateur province, 1,000 kilometers to the West of the province of North Kivu, became known, are now the “British Medical Journal” (BMJ) reported.

Transfer from the animal world

The new outbreak is the eleventh in the Congo and Mbandaka was already affected at the ninth Ebola outbreak. It is not therefore considered that the new infections from Nord-Kivu were introduced, but a Transfer from the animal world (zoonotic Transmission) is regarded as likely. Although the natural host of the Virus remain unknown, however, apply to bats as the main suspect and it is believed that the largest part of the Congo is located within the potential zoonotic transmission zone.

Multiple outbreak to happen in parallel

In the case of the new Ebola infections, the search for contact persons have already started and it’s special Teams were sent out to combat the new outbreak, according to the BMJ. Concomitantly, the health authorities have to deal with the containment of Coronavirus, and for the control of measles epidemic increase in vaccinations would be required.

COVID-19 so far well under control

So far, have been reported in the Democratic Republic of the Congo 3.495 COVID-19-infections-and 75-related deaths. With a population of around 86 million a thoroughly enjoyable little number, which is also attributed to the extensive measures to containment of the Virus. These measures make it difficult, however, especially in the fight against measles, so the warning in the BMJ.

Dramatic Measles Epidemic

Since the beginning of the measles epidemic in January 2019 have died, according to the journal of 6,600 people in measles – almost all of them were small children. An effective containment of the epidemic can only be through vaccination, but the distrust of the population towards the medical personnel and against vaccinations has increased in recent years.

“The Impfanstrengungen against measles and various other diseases were already in the first two months of this year to a Halt”, reports the BMJ. According to UNICEF, a resurgence of Polio, chickenpox, yellow fever, Hepatitis B, diphtheria, Tetanus, whooping cough and Meningitis.threatened in the country also

Vaccination campaigns difficult to implement

Vaccination campaigns in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, anyway difficult to implement. Because the country has, for example, only about 2200 kilometers of paved roads and there is already a huge challenge to cool vaccines during the long transportation. And the measures for containment of COVID-19 required, “affect the whole of measles eradication, including the transportation of vaccines, the composition of specialist teams and the implementation of vaccination campaigns,” emphasizes Emmanuel Lampaert, coordinator for Doctors without borders in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

“Every delay and every obstacle increases the risk that the measles epidemic is spreading more and more children kill”, so Lampaert. The same was observed during the recent Ebola outbreak, as the measles vaccination was interrupted. This had led to a resurgence of the disease. The combined outbreak could lead to a significant worsening of the Situation, warns the expert. (fp)

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