DRC - Ebola Virus Disease – Doctors Without Borders - 2018

May 2018 - A new outbreak of the Ebola virus disease was declared in Equateur province of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) on May 8 2018. Although it is too early to predict the trajectory of this outbreak there are concerns regarding the containment and prevention of the virus as it has spread from three rural health zones to the provincial capital of Mbandaka a large urban centre with national and international transportation routes increasing the risk of it spreading further within the DRC and neighbouring countries. Based on lessons learned from the 2014 West Africa Ebola outbreak an early response is required to help mitigate and contain the spread. With GAC’s support Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is meeting the immediate medical needs of persons infected by or at risk of contracting Ebola in the affected health zones. MSF specializes in emergency health services and is the lead on Ebola treatment in the DRC. Project activities include: (1) establishing Ebola treatment centres in affected health zones; (2) improving medical management of patients and suspected cases; (3) improving surveillance case management and infection management and control; and (4) raising awareness and immunization of at-risk groups.

The expected outcomes for this project include: (1) increased access to medical care for people infected by or at risk of contracting Ebola; and (2) improved surveillance early detection rapid assessment and effective response to the Ebola outbreak. The expected ultimate outcome is lives saved suffering alleviated and human dignity maintained in countries experiencing humanitarian crisis or acute food insecurity.