Four questions about the end of the Ebola Congo epidemic

"This is a routine procedure.There are now 42 days that one case of infection was reported for the last time and that the country may declare itself officially free of infection. Ebola.These 42 days refer to twice the maximum incubation period [theperiodbetweeninfectionandthefirstsymptom-likefeverisheventsofthemusculoskeletalfetuses red .] 21 days ".

"We have worked well with the Congolese authorities over the last period to prevent the spread of Ebola as soon as possible, especially after the virus arrived in the metropolis of Mbandaka. vaccinate more than 3,000 people with an experimental vaccine.But a major problem remains the weakness of the health system in the Congo.We are not talking about a country here, but rather a geographical concept.Communication between the different regions are very bad and it is very difficult to train health workers to find the Ebola virus at an early stage. "

"This is not at the will of the Congolese authorities.The Ministry of Health simply has too little money.There is no budget for preventive measures. Available money is used to fight against other deadly diseases such as malaria and yellow fever.Also, it is still politically uncomfortable in Congo, so in the east There is already a war in the country for years.Another important aspect is the transfer of information.Many Congolese live in very remote places and are often wary of modern health care. Help from anthropologists who can do the translation to convey our message.To isolate an infected person from the local community, trust is essential. "

"You can not predict it.It is about the knowledge you have.Sometimes we do not know at all in Kinshasa that there has been an Ebola outbreak. in a remote area and that we only hear when someone arrives with the virus in a city, so we must always be ready to provide emergency relief as soon as possible. "