Ebola outbreak in DRC
ends: WHO calls for
international efforts to stop
other deadly outbreaks in
the country
24 July 2018 News Release KINSHASA/GENEVA
Source: http://who.int/news-room/detail/24-07-2018-ebola-outbreak-in-drc-ends-whocalls-for-international-efforts-to-stop-other-deadly-outbreaks-in-the-country

Today marks the end of the ninth outbreak of Ebola in the Democratic
Republic of the Congo (DRC). The World Health Organization (WHO)
congratulates the country and all those involved in ending the outbreak, while urging
them to extend this success to combatting other diseases in DRC.
WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, and Regional Director for
Africa, Dr Matshidiso Moeti, joined Minister of Health Dr Oly Ilunga for the
announcement in Kinshasa.
“The outbreak was contained due to the tireless efforts of local teams, the support of
partners, the generosity of donors, and the effective leadership of the Ministry of
Health. That kind of leadership, allied with strong collaboration between partners,
saves lives,” said Dr Tedros.
Unlike previous Ebola outbreaks in the country, this one involved four separate
locations, including an urban centre with river connections to the capital and to
neighbouring countries, as well as remote rainforest villages. There were initial
concerns that the disease could spread to other parts of DRC, and to neighbouring
countries.
Within hours of the outbreak being declared on 8 May, WHO released US$2 million
from its Contingency Fund for Emergencies, deployed a team to augment capacity in
the field, and activated an emergency incident management system.
“WHO moved quickly and efficiently,” said Dr Moeti, “We also demonstrated the
tremendous capacity of the African region. More than three-quarters of the 360 people
deployed to respond came from within the region. Dozens of experts from Guinea
spent weeks leading Ebola vaccination efforts here, transferring expertise which will
enable the DRC to mount an effective response both within its borders and beyond.”
Dr Tedros urged the DRC Government and the international community to build on the
positive momentum generated by the quick containment of the Ebola outbreak.
“This effective response to Ebola should make the Government and partners confident
that other major outbreaks affecting the country such as cholera and polio can also be
tackled,” said Dr Tedros. “We must continue to work together, investing in
strengthened preparedness and access to healthcare for the most vulnerable.”