BY IRENE ABALO OTTO
Africa and the rest of the world on last week celebrated the end of one of the longest and deadliest Ebola outbreaks in History. The tenth Ebola outbreak in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, DRC made leaders send a call for borrowing of lessons for managing the Coronavirus situation in their own countries.
The World Health Organisation congratulated DRC that declared Eastern Congo Ebola free after over two years of battling the epidemic.
“It was not easy and at times it seemed like a mission impossible. Ending this Ebola Outbreak is a sign of hope for the region and the world, that with solidarity and science and courage and commitment, even the most challenging epidemics can be controlled,” said DR. Matshidiso Moeti, the WHO Regional Director for Africa during a virtual briefing on Thursday.
She added;
“One of the most important lessons that has been learned is the need to engage with, work with and support communities to be knowledgeable and empowered to play their roles. “
Dr. Eteni Longondo, DRC Public Health Minster said the efforts used to fight the Ebola virus that was first reported in Kivu province, Eastern DCR on August 1, 2018 should be used as lessons for fighting coronavirus.
“Our experience in fighting Ebola is necessary in dealing with COIVD-19. We have the ability to fight this pandemic,” said Dr. Eteni.
The worry for most health workers was the outbreak of coronavirus pandemic during the Ebola epidemic situation in a country that has been largely affected by internal strife.
Over 1,100people who contracted Ebola survives and returned to their families and communities after treatment by Congolese health workers. Neighboring countries like Uganda were always on the lookout should cases spill over to the country.
Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the WHO Director-General said;
“The Ebola repose was a victory for science. The rapid rollout of highly effective vaccines saved lives and slowed the spread of Ebola. For the first time, the world now has a licensed Ebola vaccine.”
The DRC grappled with the world’s second-largest Ebola epidemic on record, with more than 2,200 lives lost and 3,400 confirmed infections.
Whereas this is a big achievement for Eastern Congo, other five areas in the country have registered new cases of the Ebola Virus leading to the eleventh outbreak in the province.
North Western, Mbandaka, Equateur Province has reported Ebola cases on June 23. WHO African Region reported on Thursday that Mbandaka cases had risen to 24 with 13 associated deaths.
“Fabien Impanda Boliko is the lab technician in Mbandaka who identified the first Ebola case from the recent outbreak in Equateur province, DRC. His expertise and quick action led to the swift response to the outbreak” reads a tweet from WHO African Region.
The Government of DRC announced the first Ebola case in Wangatta Health Zone, Mbandaka on June 1.
Efforts to reach remote villages in Mbandaka began on Monday with high risk contacts registered to receive the Ebola vaccine to protect them.
Meanwhile, last week, the first Ebola survivor was discharged from Wangata hospital in Mandaka after spending 19 days of treatment at the facility.
Health experts explain that Ebola transmission can remain in semen for up to 550 days and can be transmitted through sex long after the patient has recovered. But there are possibilities of containing the spread since outbreaks or spot transmissions are common towards the end of Ebola epidemic and it does not mean that the virus is spreading out of control.
DRC continues to battle Ebola virus and COVID-19 amidst a struggling health care system.
By Thursday, WHO reports indicated Africa had over 332,000 confirmed Coronavirus cases on the continent with more than 157,000 recoveries and 8,700 deaths.
During a virtual press briefing on Thursday, DR. Matshidiso Moeti, the WHO Regional Director for Africa said African leaders should work towards improving their healthcare systems so that they are not strained during future outbreaks as has been the case with many countries during the coronavirus pandemic.
She said whereas parts of Congo are free of Ebola virus, leaders have to plan for their health care systems to save their population from health crises.
Dr. Matshidiso believes African leaders can equally overcome coronavirus through visionary leadership, science and innovation.
“It is vital that when COVID-1 vaccines are developed, they are made available to all.” She added.
Currently, there is no scientifically proven and approved vaccine for Coronavirus. Ebola has one vaccines and two treatments validated.
Dr. Tedros said governments should study their case situations and allow people to move on with their lives since some are low income earners and live on daily earnings.
“Create the space for isolation because for some people, it is difficult to sled isolate at home. Opening up should be measured, phased and organized. People should go on with their lives,” Dr Tedros said.
About 80 percent of Coronavirus cases in Africa are asymptomatic and most governments have imposed lockdowns and curfews to curb the spread of the virus. However, this has hindered access to healthcare services for other disease.
WHO says governments should consider other health emergencies alongside coronavirus to save the population from other crises.
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