Ebola Virus Disease - Democratic Republic of the Congo: External Situation Report 10 (24 May 2017)
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Date of information: 23 May 2017
1. Situation update
WHO, UN Agencies, International organizations, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and partners continue to support the Ministry of Health in the Democratic Republic of Congo to rapidly investigate and respond to the outbreak of Ebola virus disease (EVD) in Likati Health Zone, Bas Uele Province located in the north-east of the country.
On 23 May 2017, no new confirmed or probable EVD cases were reported. One suspected EVD case was reported from Muma Health Area in Likati Health Zone. The last confirmed case was reported on 11 May 2017.
Currently there are a total of two confirmed cases, three probable and 30 suspected cases. The confirmed and probable cases were reported from Nambwa (one confirmed and two probable) and Muma (one confirmed and one probable). The suspected cases have been reported from seven health areas (Nambwa, Muma, Ngayi, Azande, Ngabatala, Mobenge and Mabongo). No healthcare workers have been affected to date. The majority of the cases presented with fever, vomiting, bloody diarrhoea and other bleeding symptoms and signs. The outbreak currently remains confined to Likati Health Zone.
On 23 May, 177 contacts completed the 21 day monitoring period for Ebola-like signs and symptoms. Additionally a further 101 contacts were identified who had been exposed to a suspected case of Ebola. Therefore as of 23 May 2017, 294 contacts remain under follow up for signs and symptoms of Ebola.
All seven response committees are now established and functional at national level, namely Monitoring, Case management, WASH and biosafety, Laboratory and research, Pyscho-social management, Logistics and Communication. Additionally response teams have been established in the three most affected areas, Nambwa, Muma and Ngay.
This EVD outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo was notified to WHO by the Ministry of Health (MoH) on 11 May 2017. The cluster of cases and deaths of previously unidentified illness have been reported since late April 2017. Likati Health Zone shares borders with two provinces in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and with the Central African Republic (Figure 1). The affected areas are remote and hard to reach, with limited communication and transport networks.