The World Health Organisation has dispatched medical supplies from its Nairobi hub to the Democratic Republic of Congo in response to Ebola outbreak.
DRC said it had confirmed its 16th outbreak of Ebola virus disease (EVD), in Kasai Province.
WHO dispatched 12 tonnes of emergency medical supplies including personal protective equipment to serve 120 frontline workers for a month.
“Today, WHO shipped 12 tonnes of emergency medical supplies and equipment from its Emergency Response and Preparedness hub in Nairobi to support the DRC Ebola outbreak response,” WHO said in a statement on Sunday.
“The consignment includes personal protective equipment able to serve 120 frontline workers for one month, patient isolation materials, and water sanitation and hygiene supplies.”
According to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) the index case is a 34-year-old pregnant woman admitted to hospital last month with symptoms including high fever and repeated vomiting.
To date, 15 deaths have been reported, and 28 suspected cases identified across two health zones (Bulape and Mweka) in Kasai province. Four of the cases were among healthcare workers.
Laboratory tests have confirmed the Zaire strain of Ebola as investigations are ongoing to determine the source of exposure.
Kasai province last reported an Ebola outbreak in 2008, while Equateur province experienced one in 2022.
CDC said following the declaration of the outbreak, Director General Dr Jean Kaseya travelled to the country and met with the Minister of Health to discuss outbreak management.
Africa CDC has rapidly deployed experts to reinforce surveillance, contact tracing, data management, laboratory capacity, and infection prevention and control in the affected zones.
“Africa CDC stands firmly with the people of the Democratic Republic of Congo. I have met with the Minister of Health to coordinate an urgent response, and we are taking strong measures to bring this outbreak under control protecting communities and supporting the health workers on the frontlines,” Africa CDC director general Jean Kaseya said.
