scholarly journals Ebola Outbreak in Kikwit, Democratic Republic of the Congo: Discovery and Control Measures

1999 ◽  
Vol 179 (s1) ◽  
pp. S259-S262 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. J. Muyembe‐Tamfum ◽  
M. Kipasa ◽  
C. Kiyungu ◽  
R. Colebunders
Keyword(s):  
Democratic Republic ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Republic Of The Congo ◽  
And Control

scholarly journals Operation “Artemis”: The First Autonomous EU-led Operation

2015 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 121-132
Author(s):  
János Tomolya
Keyword(s):  
United Nations ◽  
Democratic Republic ◽  
Democratic Republic Of Congo ◽  
European Security ◽  
Republic Of Congo ◽  
Autonomous Operation ◽  
Republic Of The Congo ◽  
Operational Constraints ◽  
And Control ◽  
The Eu

In June 2003, the EU launched Operation “Artemis”, its first military mission outside Europe and independent of NATO, to the Democratic Republic of Congo. While it ultimately received an EU badge, its origin, command and control were French. The objective of Operation “Artemis” was to contribute to the stabilisation of the security conditions in Bunia, capital of Ituri, to improve the humanitarian situation, and to ensure the protection of displaced persons in the refugee camps in Bunia. Its mandate was to provide a short-term interim force for three months until the transition to the reinforced United Nations Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUC – Mission de l’Organisation des Nations Unies en République Démocratique du Congo; English: United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo). Although the EU can be said to have passed the first “test” of the European Security and Defence Policy (ESDP) mechanisms for the conduct of an autonomous operation, this test was a limited one. Operational constraints were caused by inadequate strategic lift capabilities and the lack of a strategic reserve.

scholarly journals Ebola in Africa - Discoveries in the past decade

2002 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 33-36 ◽  
Author(s):  
R R Arthur
Keyword(s):  
Laboratory Diagnosis ◽  
Communicable Diseases ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Clinical Aspects ◽  
Haemorrhagic Fever ◽  
The Past ◽  
Republic Of The Congo ◽  
The Republic ◽  
And Control ◽  
First Time

Within the past decade, Ebola haemorrhagic fever (EHF) has been recognised for the first time in four countries. Our understanding of the epidemiology, clinical aspects, laboratory diagnosis and control measures for EHF has improved considerably as a result of the outbreaks in these countries and the re-emergence that has occurred in another. The coordinated international responses to several of the large EHF outbreaks serve as models for controlling epidemics of other communicable diseases. This report is a chronological overview of the EHF outbreaks in Africa during the past decade, including the recent epidemics in Gabon and the Republic of the Congo, and highlights new discoveries and some of the remaining challenges.

scholarly journals 1666. Community Beliefs about Ebola and Implications for Disease Control in Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. S609-S609
Author(s):  
Qaasim Mian ◽  
Kasereka Masumbuko Claude ◽  
Michael Hawkes
Keyword(s):  
Ebola Virus ◽  
Democratic Republic ◽  
Traditional Healers ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Community Members ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Major Barrier ◽  
Modes Of Transmission ◽  
Infection Control Measures ◽  
Republic Of The Congo

Abstract Background The current Ebola epidemic in Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has surpassed 1,300 cases and 800 deaths. Social resistance is a major barrier to control efforts, and invites an exploration of community beliefs around Ebola and its origins. Methods Mixed-methods study, using focus group discussions (FGDs) with key community informants and a 19-item survey questionnaire broadly sampling the outbreak zone. Results Between 4 to 17 August, 2018, we conducted 4 FGDs (20 participants) and surveyed 286 community members across Eastern DRC. FGDs revealed a widespread rumor in Mangina early in the epidemic of two twins bewitched by their aunt after eating her cat, who developed bleeding symptoms and triggered the epidemic. However, this myth appeared to dissipate as the epidemic progressed and biomedical transmission became generally accepted (medical syncretism). In our survey, 6% of respondents endorsed supernatural origins of Ebola. This subgroup did not differ from other respondents in terms of knowledge of biomedical modes of transmission or resistant attitudes toward infection control measures, but was more likely to believe that traditional healers could cure Ebola. Wild animals of the forest were recognized as sources of the Ebola virus by 53% of survey respondents. Our findings suggest that skepticism and/or denial of the biomedical discourse, coupled with and mistrust and fear of ETUs may fuel “underground” transmission of Ebola outside western-style medical facilities, as patients seek care from traditional healers, who are ill-equipped to deal with a highly contagious biohazard. Conclusion A deeper understanding of beliefs around Ebola origins may illuminate strategies to engage communities in control efforts. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.

scholarly journals May Measurement Month 2019: an analysis of blood pressure screening results from the Democratic Republic of the Congo

2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (Supplement_B) ◽  
pp. B52-B54
Author(s):  
Jean-René M’Buyamba-Kabangu ◽  
Fortunat K Katamba ◽  
Mireille L Ntambwe ◽  
Georges N Ngoyi ◽  
Trésor M Tshiswaka ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Ad Hoc ◽  
Democratic Republic ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Republic Of The Congo ◽  
Low Levels ◽  
Nationally Representative ◽  
And Control

Abstract Hypertension, the foremost cause of global morbi-mortality, is linked with a high mortality from numerous cardiovascular endpoints. The May Measurement Month (MMM) campaign is an annual initiative of the International Society of Hypertension (ISH) to collect information on blood pressure (BP) and other risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) in adults. MMM2019 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) was an opportunistic cross-sectional survey of volunteers aged ≥18 years that took place in Kinshasa and Mbuji-Mayi after the training of observers to familiarize with the ISH ad hoc methods. We screened 29 857 individuals (mean age: 40 years; 40% female). Hypertension was present in 7624 (25.5%) individuals. Of them, 2520 (33.1%) were aware, 1768 (23.2%) on treatment with 910 (51.5%) controlled BP (systolic BP <140 mmHg and/or diastolic BP <90 mmHg). Of all hypertensives screened, 11.9% had controlled BP. Of all respondents, 16.7% had participated in MMM18 and 60.5% did not have their BP verified during the last year. Fasting, pregnancy, and underweight status were linked with lower BP levels whilst smoking, drinking, antihypertensive medication, previous stroke, diabetes as well as being overweight/obese were associated with higher BP levels. Our results reflect the high rate of hypertension in the DRC with low levels of awareness, treatment, and control. A nationally representative sample is required to establish the nationwide hypertension prevalence.

scholarly journals A Snapshot of Poverty, Diseases and War – The Democratic Republic of the Congo

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Shibu Sasidharan ◽  
Harpreet Singh Dhillon
Keyword(s):  
Rift Valley Fever ◽  
Democratic Republic ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Valley Fever ◽  
Major Health ◽  
Civil Unrest ◽  
Republic Of The Congo ◽  
And Control ◽  
Perfect Storm

Abstract DRC’s fight with EVD was just settling when WHO declared CoVid-19 to be a PHEIC on Mar 12, 2020. DRC’s economic growth decelerated from its pre-COVID level of 4.4% in 2019, to an estimated 0.8% in 2020. This has caused concomitant setbacks in the treatment and control of major health issues like HIV, tuberculosis, measles, rift valley fever and malaria in the country. This coupled with civil unrest, other infectious diseases and risk to the safety of the health workers, this is a recipe for a 'perfect storm’ waiting to unfold.

scholarly journals Analysis of blood pressure and selected cardiovascular risk factors in the Democratic Republic of the Congo: the May Measurement Month 2018 results

2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (Supplement_H) ◽  
pp. H50-H52
Author(s):  
Nathan B Buila ◽  
Georges N Ngoyi ◽  
Pascal M Bayauli ◽  
Fortunat K Katamba ◽  
Yves N Lubenga ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Antihypertensive Medication ◽  
Democratic Republic ◽  
Demographic Data ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Linear Regression Models ◽  
High Prevalence ◽  
Republic Of The Congo ◽  
And Control ◽  
Age And Sex

Abstract Hypertension (HT) is the largest contributor to cardiovascular disease mortality and is characterized by high prevalence and low awareness, treatment, and control rates in sub-Saharan Africa. May Measurement Month (MMM) is an international campaign intended to increase awareness of high blood pressure (BP) among the population and advocate for its importance to the health authorities. This study aimed to increase awareness of raised BP in a country where its nationwide prevalence is yet unestablished. Investigators trained and tested how to use the campaign materials, collected participants’ demographic data, lifestyle habits, and obtained from each one three BP measurements. Hypertension was defined as a BP ≥140/90 mmHg, or use of antihypertensive medication. Of the 18 719 screened (mean age 41 years; 61.4% men), 26.1% were found to be hypertensive of whom 46.3% were aware of their condition and 29.6% were taking antihypertensive medication. The control rate of HT was 43.0% in those on medication and 12.7% among all hypertensive respondents. Comorbidities found were—diabetes (3.3%), overweight/obesity (35.5%); and a previous stroke and a previous myocardial infarction were reported by 1.2% and 2.0%, respectively. Imputed age- and sex-standardized BP was higher in treated hypertensive individuals (135/85 mmHg) than those not treated (124/78 mmHg). Based on linear regression models adjusted for age and sex (and an interaction) and antihypertensive medication, stroke survivors, those who drank once or more per week (vs. never/rarely), and overweight/obese participants were associated with higher BP. MMM18 results in the Democratic Republic of the Congo corroborated the high prevalence of HT in Kinshasa screenees with low rates of treatment and control. Extension of the MMM campaign to other parts of the country is advisable.

scholarly journals A tale of two clades: monkeypox viruses

2005 ◽  
Vol 86 (10) ◽  
pp. 2661-2672 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna M. Likos ◽  
Scott A. Sammons ◽  
Victoria A. Olson ◽  
A. Michael Frace ◽  
Yu Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Democratic Republic ◽  
Clinical Laboratory ◽  
West African ◽  
Open Reading Frames ◽  
Congo Basin ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Republic Of The Congo ◽  
Using Data ◽  
And Control ◽  
Reading Frames

Human monkeypox was first recognized outside Africa in 2003 during an outbreak in the USA that was traced to imported monkeypox virus (MPXV)-infected West African rodents. Unlike the smallpox-like disease described in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC; a Congo Basin country), disease in the USA appeared milder. Here, analyses compared clinical, laboratory and epidemiological features of confirmed human monkeypox case-patients, using data from outbreaks in the USA and the Congo Basin, and the results suggested that human disease pathogenicity was associated with the viral strain. Genomic sequencing of USA, Western and Central African MPXV isolates confirmed the existence of two MPXV clades. A comparison of open reading frames between MPXV clades permitted prediction of viral proteins that could cause the observed differences in human pathogenicity between these two clades. Understanding the molecular pathogenesis and clinical and epidemiological properties of MPXV can improve monkeypox prevention and control.

scholarly journals The exacerbation of Ebola outbreaks by conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

2019 ◽  
Vol 116 (48) ◽  
pp. 24366-24372 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chad R. Wells ◽  
Abhishek Pandey ◽  
Martial L. Ndeffo Mbah ◽  
Bernard-A. Gaüzère ◽  
Denis Malvy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Disease Transmission ◽  
Democratic Republic ◽  
Population Level ◽  
Model Framework ◽  
Public Health Response ◽  
Local Conditions ◽  
Health Response ◽  
Republic Of The Congo ◽  
And Control ◽  
The Impact

The interplay between civil unrest and disease transmission is not well understood. Violence targeting healthcare workers and Ebola treatment centers in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has been thwarting the case isolation, treatment, and vaccination efforts. The extent to which conflict impedes public health response and contributes to incidence has not previously been evaluated. We construct a timeline of conflict events throughout the course of the epidemic and provide an ethnographic appraisal of the local conditions that preceded and followed conflict events. Informed by temporal incidence and conflict data as well as the ethnographic evidence, we developed a model of Ebola transmission and control to assess the impact of conflict on the epidemic in the eastern DRC from April 30, 2018, to June 23, 2019. We found that both the rapidity of case isolation and the population-level effectiveness of vaccination varied notably as a result of preceding unrest and subsequent impact of conflict events. Furthermore, conflict events were found to reverse an otherwise declining phase of the epidemic trajectory. Our model framework can be extended to other infectious diseases in the same and other regions of the world experiencing conflict and violence.

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