That's after 5,130 doses have already been administered, in 44 rings. The workers are turning the tide, but the death tolls will continue to climb for a few more weeks, in all likelihood. That is the way of these biological epidemic processes -- in such remote terrain. Here's a bit from the latest WHO report:
. . . .The outbreak of Ebola virus disease (EVD) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is at a key juncture. Recent trends. . . suggest that control measures are working. Over the past week, contact follow-up rates have substantially improved, most patients recently admitted to Ebola treatment centres (ETC) received therapeutics within hours of being confirmed, and ring vaccination activities have scaled to reach contacts (and their contacts) of most confirmed cases reported in the last three weeks. However, the outbreak trend must be interpreted with caution. Since the last Disease Outbreak News on 24 August 2018, 13 additional confirmed and probable cases have been reported, the majority (n=8) were from the city of Beni. Moreover, substantial risks remain, posed by potential undocumented chains of transmission; four of the 13 new cases were not known contacts. Likewise, sporadic instances of high-risk behaviours in some communities (such as unsafe burials, reluctance towards contact tracing, vaccination and admission to ETCs if symptoms developed), poor infection prevention and control (IPC) practices in some community health centres, and delays in patients reaching ETCs when symptoms develop, all have the potential to further propagate the outbreak.
As of 29 August 2018, a total of 116 EVD cases (86 confirmed and 30 probable) including 77 deaths (47 confirmed and 30 probable) have been reported in five health zones in North Kivu (Beni, Butembo, Oicha, Mabalako, Musienene) and one health zone in Ituri (Mandima). Eight suspected cases from Mabalako (n=5) and Beni (n=3) are currently pending laboratory testing to confirm or exclude EVD. The majority of cases (65 confirmed and 21 probable) have been reported from Mabalako Health Zone (See map image at right). The median age of confirmed and probable cases is 35 years (interquartile range 19–45.5 years), and 56% were female. . . .
There are at present also 14 confirmed cases of the virus in health care workers, on the ground there. Do keep a good thought for them as well. Onward to the long weekend, now. We are in need some good news, on this decidedly gray Saturday -- with Aretha gone, and Sen. McCain now at rest. 33 years ago today -- my brother was taken instantly, at barely 23, as well. Far too soon. All, far too soon. But onward. Ever. . . onward.
नमस्ते
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