DR Congo: The Ebola epidemic is being eradicated - coordinator
Kinshasa, DR Congo (PANA) – The Ebola epidemic which broke out in August 2018 in the DRC regions of North Kivu and Ituri is being eradicated, asserted a top official here Wednesday.
Dr Jean Jacques Muyembe, coordinator of the expert committee in charge of the response against the Ebola virus in northeastern DR Congo, made this known during a working session in Kinshasa with Prime Minister Sylvestre Ilunga.
"The Ebola virus epidemic will be eradicated by late February and March, then we could declare the end of the epidemic in DR Congo," said Muyembe, while taking stock of the situation of the epidemic in North Kivu and Ituri before moving to the post-Ebola transition stage.
Dr Muyembe said security teams for the protection of the medical staff had been engaged while those who withdrew in Beni from Mangina where the security situation was worrying were presently shuttling back and forth between these localities for the continuation of medical care and the protection of material.
Dr Muyembe, who said he was satisfied with the commitment of the government, announced the beginning of the post-Ebola transition programme.
He said the head of government was invited by the Coordination committee of fight against the Ebola epidemic to travel to Goma to launch a working session with the three concerned provincial governors of North Kivu, South Kivu and Ituri.
The programme aims to capitalize all lessons drawn from the fight against the Ebola epidemic to strengthen the health system and particularly meet the other needs of populations in that part of the DRC.
-0- PANA KON/TBM/MSA/RA 22Jan2020
