Africa-Press. A new plan has been launched to combat the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which has already resulted in the deaths of 3,072 people out of 6,342 recorded cases.
The “Bundibugyo” variant, for which there are currently no approved vaccines, affects 60 health zones across six provinces, with Ituri being the most impacted.
In response to this spread, the government in Kinshasa has initiated a new plan to address the outbreak, which will span 180 days and is estimated to cost around $1.3 billion.
The stated goal is to reduce the transmission of the virus and decrease the number of deaths associated with this 17th outbreak in particular.
The new Congolese plan is named “One Health” and aims to change the approach to responding to the outbreak.
The Congolese health minister, Samuel Roger Kamba, stated that the focus is no longer just on treating patients but also on addressing the various factors that contribute to the spread of the virus.
The plan includes enhancing epidemic surveillance through quicker case detection and systematic follow-up of contacts. It also emphasizes better preparation of teams for rapid intervention in affected or at-risk areas.
Another priority is to bring response efforts closer to the population. Authorities aim to strengthen health facilities, improve patient care, and encourage early access to healthcare.
Communication plays a central role in the plan. It includes enhancing community engagement to counter rumors, explain preventive measures, and encourage prompt reporting of suspected cases.
Finally, the “One Health” plan relies on better coordination among various sectors, including human health, animal health, the environment, management, and partners. The goal is to adapt to the evolution of the outbreak and reduce preventable deaths.
The government has thus called for collective mobilization, placing local communities at the heart of the response system.
