DRC’s Ebola outbreak

5 December 2018

DRC’s Ebola outbreak: what you need to know

North Kivu and Ituri, provinces in north-eastern DRC, are affected by the country’s ongoing Ebola crisis. Travellers are advised against travel to those regions.

Dr Tony Saner at the Rosebank Travel Clinic told eTNW: “I recommend being particularly careful around the eastern border area and that travellers don’t go to the DRC unless one really has to.”

Regional medical director medical services for special projects of International SOS, Dr Andre Willemse, has advised that those planning travel into the affected areas be well informed, well trained, ensure they understand the mitigation measures and, if possible, avoid physical contact with an infected person. “Risk for well-informed travellers is low with regards to infection,” says Willemse.

International SOS has implemented education and training programmes in an effort to educate people on ways to protect and inform themselves about the virus.

The number of cases has reached 426. That includes 379 confirmed cases and 47 probable ones with a total death tally of 198 since August 1, DRC’s health ministry said.

Organisations such as the World Health Organisation have sent health experts into the affected areas working to get the virus under control. The WHO has not declared the situation an emergency.