Congo (DRC): Outbreak of Ebola virus

The outbreak was declared on 1st August. Since then over 270 cases confirmed. More than 170 people have died. Case numbers and classifications will vary day to day as some cases are confirmed as Ebola and others are ruled out. The WHO Emergency Committee meeting on 17 October that the situation was not a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) although ongoing efforts to end transmission are critical.

Nigeria: Cholera outbreak

Since the beginning of the year about 24,000 cases, including over 430 deaths have been reported from 18 states. Since late May, there has been an overall decline in the epidemic across the country. However, many states (mainly Borno, Kano and Zamfara) continue to report ongoing activity. Half of all cases are in children under 5 years old.

Cholera spreads via contaminated food and water and authorities are responding by improving water supplies and sanitation, setting up treatment facilities, and educating the public on preventive measures. A large oral cholera vaccination campaign is underway.

The current outbreak has been ongoing since December 2016. Cases accelerated alarmingly in the beginning of 2018, at least 22 states were affected at the peak of the outbreak. Although 19 states have exited the active phase of the outbreak, three are still classified as having active transmission (Edo, Ondo and Enugu.) Enugu is a new addition to the list, having just reported its first case in this outbreak in August...

A new outbreak of Ebola virus was declared on 1 August, over 115 confirmed or suspected cases and more than 70 people have died, including more than ten among healthcare workers. Cases were reported in Mangina, an area in the Mabalako health zone of North Kivu province. This is the epicentre of the outbreak, and most cases have been reported there.