WHO gives update on Ebola virus disease outbreak in DRC |20 July 2019

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has released a statement following a meeting of the International Health Regulations (IHR) Emergency Committee for Ebola virus disease in the Democratic Republic of the Congo on July 17, 2019.

This was held in Geneva at the WHO head office.

The current situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo was reviewed.

The WHO secretariat provided details on the latest rapid risk assessment,

highlighted the effectiveness of the response and improvements in surveillance. It

noted that the intensity of virus transmission has been reduced, but there has been a geographical extension although there has been no local transmission in these areas.

However, the continued seeding of virus into new areas represents a constant risk of further amplification.

There is cause for concern linked to the recent case in Goma, as the city is a

provincial capital with an airport with international flights.

The intensity of the epidemiological situation is fluctuating, with about 80 new cases reported weekly. There is continued shifting of hotspots and associated risks.

Ongoing challenges are many and with a highly mobile population there provides

multiple routes of transmission.

WHO is concerned that a year into the outbreak, there are worrying signs of possible extension of the epidemic. Despite significant improvement in many places, there is concern about potential spread from Goma, even though there have been no new cases in that city.

Conclusions and advice

• Following the assessment WHO declared that conditions for a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) under the IHR (2005) have been met.

• The declaration of the PHEIC recognises the possible increased national and regional risks and the need for intensified and coordinated action to manage them.

• Guidance for affected countries, neighbouring countries and for all other states were provided.

• WHO advise that no country should close its borders or place any restrictions on travel and trade. Such measures are usually implemented out of fear and have no basis in science.

• National authorities are advised to work with airlines and other transport and tourism industries to ensure that they do not exceed WHO’s advice on international traffic.

• Entry screening at airports or other ports of entry outside the region are not necessary.

The Ebola virus

In DRC, as of July 17, 2019, a total of 2512 confirmed or probable cases of Ebola have been reported.

• The virus is transmitted to humans through close contact with the blood, secretions, organs or other bodily fluids of infected animals.

• The incubation period, that is, the time interval from infection with the virus to onset of symptoms, is 2 to 21 days.

• The spread in the human population is through human-to-human transmission from direct contact (through broken skin or mucous membranes) with the blood, secretions, organs or other bodily fluids of infected people, and indirect contact with environments contaminated with such fluids. Men who have recovered from the disease can still transmit the virus through their semen for up to 7 weeks after recovery from illness.

Signs and symptoms

• EVD is often characterised by the sudden onset of fever, intense weakness, muscle pain, headache and sore throat. This is followed by vomiting, diarrhoea, rash, impaired kidney and liver function, and in some cases, both internal and external bleeding.

• People are infectious as long as their blood and secretions contain the virus.

Local response

• In Seychelles, the local disease surveillance team has been actively monitoring the outbreak through various surveillance and monitoring resources at its disposition. This include WHO alerts notification and updates, CDC reports, regional surveillance network and the international media.

• The Seychelles Ebola response plan that was developed since 2014 and updated in 2018 was reactivated even before Ebola spread outside the region where it started in DRC.

• All processes outlined in the plan are being activated. This includes putting all the response team in place, heightened surveillance at health facilities, reviewing of processes and standard operating procedures, stocking of materials at all levels, communication and other provisions of the plan.

• The disease surveillance and response (IDSR) team is meeting regularly to continue to consolidate the response plan.

• As per WHO advice, there is no travel or trade restriction with DRC.

• However, if anyone wishes to travel to any of the affected areas in DRC they are advised to contact the CDCU within the Public Health Authority.

• Furthermore, travellers from the affected regions will be put under higher scrutiny and surveillance at the port of entry.

• A more detailed form to track recent travel history of travellers is being reintroduced.

For more information contact the Public Health Commissioner.