Congo confirms end of last deadly Ebola outbreak



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KINSHASA, Congo – The latest outbreak of the Ebola virus in Congo is over, said Tuesday the Ministry of Health, after a 42-day observation period with no new confirmed cases.

There were 54 cases of Ebola, including 33 deaths The ministry said that health authorities have announced a rapid international response and that vaccinations of more than 3,300 people have been the main factors in the spread of the epidemic, the ninth of the Congo since haemorrhagic fever. was identified for the first time in 1976.

"Although the scale of the crisis we were facing was unprecedented, the speed and effectiveness of the response put in place by the government and its partners are also exceptional, "Dr. Oly Ilunga Kalenga

The epidemic posed a serious problem when it spread to the city of Mbandaka and its more than 1 million people. people.

Other initial cases were in remote, hard-to-reach areas Rural areas without basic infrastructure such as electricity make the vaccination effort more difficult.

"Right off the bat, we had prepared for the worst case scenario," said the Minister of Health. "And our fears were quickly confirmed with the confirmation Wednesday, May 16, of the first cases of Ebola in the city of Mbandaka."

The city is located on the Congo River upstream of the capital, Kinshasa. It was feared that the virus might spread not only in the country, but also in neighboring countries, particularly in the Central African Republic

International organizations will remain in the Congo for monitoring and surveillance.

The World Health Organization plays an important role "The outbreak was contained thanks to the tireless efforts of local teams, the support of partners, the generosity of donors and the effective leadership of the Ministry of Health He congratulated the Congo. The Director General of WHO, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said: "This form of leadership, coupled with strong collaboration between partners, saves lives."

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This release removes the reference the first time the Ebola virus has spread. a large city in Congo

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Petesch reported from Dakar, Senegal.

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