AfriPulse
World Health Organisation
The Director-General of the World Health Organisation, Tedros Ghebreyesus, has congratulated the Ministry of Health and the government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo for their swift action in containing the Ebola outbreak in the country.
Ghebreyesus made the remarks on WHO’s official account on Thursday while giving an update on the situation in the Central African nation.
According to him, the global health body has confirmed 54 cases and 27 deaths from the fresh Ebola outbreak.
The statement read partly, “Now to the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It’s been two weeks since the Government of the #DRC declared an #Ebola outbreak near the central town of Bulape. So far, 54 confirmed and probable cases have been reported, and 27 people have died.
“I congratulate the government, the Ministry of Health and DRC’s institutions for their leadership in this response. Years of investment and experience are paying off.”
“WHO and our partners are supporting the government, so far, we have delivered more than 14 tons of essential medical equipment and supplies, and deployed 48 experts.
“885 contacts have been listed and are being followed up, vaccination of contacts, potential contacts and frontline workers is underway.
“We’ve helped to set up an Ebola treatment centre with 18 beds, with 16 patients currently being treated. 400 vaccine doses have been deployed to Bulape, and another 45 000 doses are on their way.
“Courses of the monoclonal antibody therapy Mab114 have also been sent to treatment centres in Bulape, and so far, 14 patients have received the drug,” he said.
The Director General further disclosed that the WHO had launched a fresh appeal to enable the country to scale up its response to the epidemic.
“This week, WHO launched an appeal for US$21 million to support DRC to scale up its response. We ask donors to support this response. Your investment now will help to save lives and stop this outbreak at the source,” he appealed.
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