Topics Covered: Issues related to Health.
Congo Declares End Of Latest Ebola Outbreak:
Context:
The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has officially declared the end of the 12th Ebola outbreak.
- Since the outbreak declared on February 7, 2021, a total of 12 cases have been reported.
- Thanks to the experience of the DRC’s response team and health partners, the epidemic has been brought under control in less than three months after its declaration.
About Ebola:
Ebola virus disease (EVD), formerly known as Ebola haemorrhagic fever, is a severe, often fatal illness in humans.
Transmission: The virus is transmitted to people from wild animals and spreads in the human population through human-to-human transmission.
The average EVD case fatality rate is around 50%. Case fatality rates have varied from 25% to 90% in past outbreaks.
Prevention: Community engagement is key to successfully controlling outbreaks. Good outbreak control relies on case management, surveillance and contact tracing, a good laboratory service and social mobilisation.
Treatment: Early supportive care with rehydration, symptomatic treatment improves survival. There is yet no licensed treatment proven to neutralise the virus but a range of blood, immunological and drug therapies are under development.
InstaLinks:
Prelims Link:
- How is Ebola spread?
- What are zoonotic diseases?
- Differences between virus, bacteria and other pathogens.
- Where is Congo?
- Regions in Africa where Ebola outbreak was observed?
Mains Link:
Discuss how the Ebola pandemic was handled by Congo Republic.
Sources: ET.
