Search: #Ebola

Insecurity is now one of the greatest obstacles to the #Ebola response in the #DRC. During an attack on the town of Cantine-Aloya last week, 66 civilians were killed, including three health workers, and three health facilities were looted and burned. More than 1000 contacts have been lost to follow up, and three confirmed cases are unaccounted for. This appalling attack represents both a major humanitarian emergency and a significant setback to the response. And it’s not the only one. Two weeks ago a nurse was killed and another health worker badly injured when they were attacked while responding to an Ebola alert in Tshopo province. Other attacks have included a grenade found near a health zone office; gunfire near an Ebola treatment centre; an arson attempt on a treatment centre; stones thrown at a vehicle conducting safe and dignified burials; threats against health workers – and more. These incidents restrict humanitarian access, disrupt operations, make it harder to reach communities quickly, and give the virus an advantage. My full briefing on the response to the @WHO Member States today: bit.ly/4iOHpnW

Today, #Kenya discharged its final #Ebola patient. The 42-day countdown to being declared Ebola-free starts tomorrow. Kenya reported nine cases caused by the Bundibugyo virus, linked to an imported case from the DRC, including two deaths. My congratulations to Kenya’s health workers, responders and government for their preparedness, surveillance, swift response and continued vigilance. xitter-newx.xyz-mikolabs.workers.dev/moh_kenya/status/21204…