4/15/20 – Ebola Isn’t Over Yet, and COVID-19 Preparations Continue

During this time of uncertainty as we learn to adapt to a new normal way of living, we hope you and your families and friends are safe and reaching out to those that are alone. This is a critical time we are thankful for technology and the ability to communicate with loved ones remotely.

As we prepare for the arrival of COVID-19, Eastern DRC is still dealing with the Ebola epidemic. In March, the last Ebola patient was released from a treatment center and Congolese authorities believed the virus was eradicated after going for several weeks without any new cases.
The world was hopeful the epidemic would be over.

However, just this week, within days of the epidemic being declared finished, two new deaths near Beni led officials to halt plans to announce the successful eradication of the disease. Although the emerging COVID-19 pandemic adds complications, the World Health Organization has worked side by side with DRC health responders for over 18 months and will continue this joint effort until DRC can declare the final end to the second-worst Ebola outbreak. The region experienced over 3,400 confirmed cases and almost 2,300 deaths.  To read more, click here.