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GENEVA (Reuters) – The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo is expected to worsen significantly if the response is not stepped up, a panel of experts said Wednesday. Urgent meeting by the World Health Organization.
However, there is still no public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC), said the emergency committee.
"The Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo, WHO and its partners need to intensify the current response. Otherwise, the situation is likely to deteriorate significantly, "the committee said in a statement.
The epidemic reported on August 1 made 139 deaths and 215 probable and confirmed cases. The WHO said it could spread at any time to neighboring Uganda or Rwanda, although both countries are well prepared.
"We have some optimism that the outbreak will be contained within a reasonable time," said committee chair Robert Steffen at a news conference at the WHO headquarters. in Geneva.
The declaration of a PHEIC, the first since the Zika virus outbreak in Latin America in February 2016, would have accelerated the pace of the response, said Jeremy Farrar, director of the Wellcome Trust in Britain.
"This declaration could have freed up more resources, especially in finances, health personnel, strengthening security and infrastructure, as well as strengthening international political support," he said in a statement.
"Whether or not it is defined as a PHEIC, this epidemic is in a crucial phase and in an incredibly difficult environment."
But Steffen added that there were also disadvantages, such as travel and transportation restrictions that could hinder the fight against Ebola. The committee stated that it was particularly important that no such restrictions be imposed.
Jamie LeSueur, Ebola campaigner in the Congo with the International Federation of the Red Cross, said insecurity prevented health workers from reaching affected communities. which caused a recrudescence of cases.
"We are concerned that this is contributing to an accelerated spread of the disease, which poses an increased risk for neighboring provinces of the DRC and neighboring countries."
Steffen said the committee based its findings on three criteria: the epidemic was extraordinary, the risk of international spread and the need for international intervention.
The epidemic was very worrying for the region but not on a global scale, he said, adding that no case had yet been exported and that the international response was already In progress.
"In one of the provinces, the epidemic is relatively weakened, in another, it only worsens, but the concentration of the intervention teams is now focused on this new area ", did he declare.
Report by Tom Miles; edited by Mark Heinrich
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