They say Ebola is a "global health emergency" | Chronic

The World Health Organization (WHO) said on Wednesday that the Ebola epidemic in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) had become a "health emergency of international concern," but asked "that none of the neighboring countries will close its border", because "there is no need".

The decision was taken on the recommendation of the WHO Emergency Committee after confirmation of the first case of Ebola in the city of Goma, capital of North Kivu Province, 350 kilometers from what is now the epicenter of the outbreak and only 20 kilometers from the border with Rwanda.

However, the International Health Agency has not recommended "No restrictions on travel or trade with the DRC", because "instead of helping to contain the virus, it would have a terrible impact on the country's economy and be counterproductive. "

"It's a regional emergency that does not pose a threat to the world""they badured.

In this regard, the Director-General of WHO, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, explained that "Committee members emphasized the need to protect the livelihoods of those most affected by this epidemic by keeping transport routes and borders open. "

"The measure should not be a reason to stigmatize and penalize as many people who need help."Tedros pointed out.

This Ebola outbreak, declared a year ago, has become the second most serious in history, after that occurred in West Africa between 2013 and 2016, which caused more than 11 deaths. 300 deaths.

In the meantime, of the 2,612 patients registered in the DRC, 1,676 died and among the infected, 136 health workers, 40 of whom died.

The determination of the emergency committee took into account not only the case of the evangelical pastor who arrived in Goma, infected and deceased, but also the increase in the number of cases in Butemo and Mabalako, while the core of the Epidemic was transferred from Mabalako to Beni, all places combined. from the province of North Kivu.

"Despite efforts over the past year to raise awareness, many people in the region simply do not believe the epidemic is real and see the containment of the virus as suspicious and intended to manipulate", lamented the WHO, quoted by the agency Efe.

And completed: "The armed conflict in the region was another great cause of the epidemic that could not be controlled, as evidenced by the killing of two community health workers last week".