Early Response Could Help Contain DRC Ebola Outbreak; Fears Of Spread Across Border Into CAR Remain, WHO Says

The Lancet: Ebola outbreak in the DR Congo
“On May 12, an outbreak of Ebola virus disease (EVD) was declared, affecting a remote area of the northern DR Congo. … The outbreak triggered a response involving more than 13 international agencies. It could prompt the roll-out of an Ebola vaccine candidate, pending government approval of its use…” (Green, 5/27).

Science: New Ebola outbreak rings alarm bells early
“…In the wake of the devastating West African Ebola that spiraled out of control in 2014, there’s acute awareness that virus can cause mayhem if not contained early. This time, there’s also the possibility of using an unlicensed but promising vaccine that had great success in 2015 in a trial in Guinea. But given the confusing details of the DRC outbreak — the first case apparently fell ill 21 April and he’s only one of two confirmed cases to date — the government has yet to request the vaccine…” (Cohen/Vogel, 5/26).

STAT: Ebola outbreak may be smaller than feared, WHO indicates
“There are signs that the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo may not be as big as was once feared, World Health Organization officials indicated Thursday. Fourteen suspected cases have tested negative for the deadly virus, Alison Clement, a WHO spokeswoman currently in Likati, the epicenter of the response, told STAT in an interview…” (Branswell, 5/25).

Thomson Reuters Foundation: Congo’s Ebola outbreak threatens CAR after violence forces thousands across border
“An Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo could spread to the neighboring Central African Republic, where militia violence has forced thousands of people to flee across the border, the World Health Organization said on Thursday. … [R]ecent attacks by Christian militias in Central African Republic’s border town of Bangassou have driven about 2,750 people into Bas-Uele, raising the risk that the Ebola outbreak could spread across the border, a WHO representative said…” (Guilbert, 5/25).

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