Progress against the Ebola virus in eastern DRC

The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that significant progress has been made to contain the spread of the Ebola virus in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). He warns, however, that new hot spots are appearing. The WHO indicates that the number of confirmed and probable cases of Ebola in the DRC is 143, of which 97 deaths.

WHO officials say they are satisfied with the progress made to limit the spread of the Ebola virus, but the epidemic of this deadly disease in the provinces of North Kivu and Ituri in Congo remains active and vigilance must be maintained .

The WHO reports that the situation in Mangina, the initial epicenter of the epidemic in North Kivu, is stabilizing. WHO spokeswoman Fadela Chaib told VOA that there were no safety issues there, so health workers could safely access the area and treat the people affected by the disease. But there are exceptions.

"Immediately to the east, it's an inaccessible area. The region is in a four security level, which is one of the highest security phasing system in the United States. For example, the road from Beni to Oicha is in the "red zone" … So, in some places, we can really go to work. In other places, it is more difficult, "she said.

Chaib said the cities of Beni and Butembo have become hot spots, noting that Butembo is in the red zone.

The spokeswoman for the WHO said the risk of spreading Ebola was important and that health workers needed to stay abreast of the many challenges they faced.

Among the challenges is the growing resistance in some communities to the measures used to contain the virus.

For example, according to Mr. Chaib, some people are reluctant to go to treatment centers for treatment. Others are not willing to change traditional funeral practices, such as touching the bodies of those who died of Ebola. The WHO warns that it is one of the safest ways to spread the infection. The epidemic in the DRC is the tenth since the first identification of Ebola in 1976.