Kinshasa, June 11 (IANS). The number of Ebola virus cases in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) has increased to 635. The country’s Health Minister Roger Kamba gave this information.
He told on social media platform
According to the Health Minister, the percentage of contacts being kept under surveillance has increased to 61.1 percent, which was 56.4 percent a day earlier. He said that the health department is keeping an eye on every area and every possible case.
Kamba said that eight new patients have recovered, including seven from Nyankunde and one from Mongbavalu area. With this the total number of recovered patients has reached 30.
Appealing to the people, he said, “The recovery of every patient gives the message that life can be saved by getting timely treatment.”
The government has so far sent 490 tonnes of medicines to the affected areas. Additionally, laboratories have been strengthened and health teams are continuing to work in Ituri, North Kivu and South Kivu provinces.
DR Congo officially declared an Ebola outbreak on May 15. Two days later, on May 17, the World Health Organization declared it an international public health emergency.
At the same time, the Africa Center for Disease Control and Prevention has warned that there are many problems in relief and rescue operations. Many health centers lack clean water, protective equipment, medicines and essential resources.
The organization also said that problems like insecurity in some areas, lack of ambulances, bad roads and health workers not receiving salaries on time are slowing down relief operations. Apart from this, people’s lack of trust in the health system is also a big challenge.
Africa CDC has focused on sensitizing communities, rapidly dispatching medical teams to at-risk areas, strengthening infection prevention measures, and increasing surveillance of contacts of infected people.
–IANS
amt/as
