Uganda, WHO Congratulate DRC On End of 10th Ebola Outbreak

The world’s second largest Ebola outbreak which is the 10th outbreak in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has come to an end.

The end of the Ebola outbreak in Northeastern DRC was officially announced by DRC Health Minister Longodo Eteni on Thursday.

The outbreak declared in North Kivu on 1st August 2018 was the second largest in the world and was particularly challenging as it took place in an active conflict zone.

The Ugandan Minister of Health Dr Jane Ruth Aceng took to Twitter to congratulate DRC leadership and frontline health workers for fighting hard to contain Ebola widespread.

“This is exciting and heartwarming for all of us, most especially the people of DRC. Congratulations to the leadership, the frontline health workers who sacrificed a lot, many of them, their lives to end this deadly Ebola outbreak. God bless,” said Aceng.

The Director General Health Services in the Ugandan Ministry of Health Dr Henry Mwebesa also congratulated DRC.

“Good news coming in from our neighbors. Well done to the teams that worked tirelessly to see the end of the deadly Ebola outbreak. It’s been a long journey,” Dr Mwebesa congratulated DRC.

The WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus also congratulated DRC upon the great success.

“I am delighted to celebrate the end of Ebola outbreak in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. I visited DRC many, many times during this outbreak and would like to be there with you and the response teams to mark today’s important moment. The Ebola outbreak added to th burden of communities that have endured years of conflict. But during this time, the immense response was rolled out led by the Government and brave and talented Congolese responders and colleagues from many partners who joined forces to save lives and protect health,” said Ghebreyesus.

He added that the response was a significant achievement for science which resulted into a rapid roll out of a highly effective vaccine.

“The Ebola response was a victory for science. The rapid roll out of a highly effective vaccine saved lives and slowed the spread of Ebola. For the first time, the world now has a licensed Ebola vaccine. We must not forget the health workers who lost their lives. WHO will keep advocating for the security of health workers to perform their duties without being targeted,” he added.

Furthermore, Ghebreyesus noted that there could be a possibility of flare-ups and therefore called on response teams to remain in place.

“Viruses do not take breaks. There is still the potential flare-ups and rapid response teams and support systems must remain in place. Once again, WHO is celebrating with all people of DRC on this success,” said Ghebreyesus.

There were 3,470 cases and 2287 deaths.

Ebola Time line in DRC

On 1st August 2018, Ebola was declared an epidemic.

On 8th August 2018, Ebola vaccinations began in North Kivu in DRC.

On 26th November 2018, DRC began first ever multi drug trial for Ebola treatment.

On 17th July 2019, Ebola was declared a public health emergency of International concern.

On 4th October 2019, the number of people who had survived Ebola hit 1000.

On 3rd March 2020, lats Ebola patient was discharged from a treatment center in Beni.

On 10th April 2020, a new Ebola case was confirmed in Beni.

On 14th May 2020, the last patient after flare-up was discharged.

On Thursday 25th June 2020, DRC’s 10th Ebola outbreak was declared over.