Ebola emergency in Congo: the deadliest epidemic in the country's history

The Ebola emergency in Congo does not end. Infections are increasing day after day and deaths have now surpassed the previous crisis of 2018-2020. The one affecting the Democratic Republic of Congo has become the deadliest epidemic in the country's history with over 2,300 deaths recorded. The current outbreak has caused 2,325 deaths out of 4,945 confirmed cases: in the epidemic that ended six years ago there were 2,299 deaths out of 3,381 confirmed cases.

EU donates diagnostic tests

The European Commission has also taken action to deal with the emergency. The EU is purchasing diagnostic tests worth a total of 2.5 million euros to donate to the African Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. These are rapid point-of-care molecular tests and analysis tools that will be delivered to African Centers by the end of this month. In parallel, a further agreement is being prepared in collaboration with the World Health Organization for the provision of further tests. "This initiative follows my visit to Ituri, where our partners made clear the urgent need for a faster and more effective diagnostic capacity", says the Commissioner for Crisis Management, Hadja Lahbib, in a note from the community executive. "In an Ebola epidemic, every hour counts. These tests - explains Lahbib - will help identify cases early, provide more timely treatment to patients and prevent further spread of the virus. Europe is transforming what has emerged in the field into concrete support, collaborating with the Africa CDC and the WHO". The tests are not the only aid provided by the Commission in the fight against Ebola: the EU has so far mobilized 493 million euros in emergency aid, vaccines, treatments and health security in the Great Lakes region and in Uganda.

US operators out of danger

Meanwhile, the seven US humanitarian workers who were quarantined due to possible exposure to the virus are out of danger. The workers of the Christian organization Samaritan's Purse were isolated at the Laikipia air base in Kenya and were discharged after completing the required 21-day observation period without complications. As reported by the Daily Nation, none of them developed symptoms of the disease and all were immediately repatriated to the United States.