ReliefWeb

Highlights

• As of 28 April, 70 health areas in 14 health zones reported new cases during the previous three weeks; 45% of the 156 health areas affected to date.

• On 19 April, an attack by armed militia resulted in the tragic death of Dr Richard Mouzoko Kiboung, a WHO epidemiologist, and the injury of two other healthcare workers. Following the attack, Ebola response activities have been temporarily suspended in some highrisk health areas.

• UNICEF, WHO, the government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and other partners are actively collaborating to review the current strategic and operational security measures to ensure the protection of all outbreak responders in the field, improve effective coordination and information sharing amongst all security elements covering the response.

SITUATION IN NUMBERS

1,466 total reported cases (MoH, 28 April 2019)

1,400 confirmed cases (MoH, 28 April 2019)

416 children <18 among confirmed cases (MoH/ WHO, 28 April 2019)

891 deaths among confirmed cases (MoH, 28 April 2019)

12,506 contacts under surveillance (MoH, 28 April 2019)

UNICEF Ebola Response Appeal

US$ 50.15 million

Key Epidemiological Developments

The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) continues to take place in the provinces North Kivu and Ituri, both affected by conflict and armed violence. According to risk assessments by the World Health Organization (WHO), the risk of spill-over to neighbouring provinces and countries remains high, international spread has been successful in preventing the spread of the outbreak since the start of the epidemic in August 2018.

This past week saw a continued increase in the number of new Ebola virus disease (EVD) cases reported in the North Kivu and Ituri provinces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, with a total of 126 new confirmed cases reported. The outbreak remains contained to a geographical area, with hotspot areas within Katwa, Mandima, Butembo, Mabalako and Musienene health zones. During the last 21 days (8-28 April 2019), a total of 297 confirmed cases were reported from: Katwa (141), Butembo (33), Mandima (33), Vuhovi (23), Mabalako (19), Beni (14), Musienene (14), Kalunguta (10), Masereka (5), Biena (1), Kyondo (1), Mutwanga (1), Oicha (1), and Komanda (1). During this period, 70 health areas in 14 health zones reported new cases; 45% of the 156 health areas affected to date.

As of 28 April 2019, a total of 1466 EVD cases, including 1400 confirmed and 66 probable cases, were reported. A total of 957 deaths were reported (overall case fatality ratio 65%), including 891 deaths among confirmed cases. Of the 1466 confirmed and probable cases with known age and sex, 56% (815) were female, and 28% (416) were children aged less than 18 years. The number of healthcare workers affected has risen to 92, including 33 deaths.

As of 28 April, 12,406 contacts have been registered and 10,068 contacts are currently under surveillance 20192 .