The meningitis epidemic that was declared in September in the northeastern part of DR Congo and cost the lives of 205 people “Has been officially terminated” now, said yesterday the branch of the World Health Organization (WHO) in Africa.
“A total of 2,662 cases and 205 deaths were recorded” during the epidemic, which was declared on September 7 in Tsopo province, the WHO said in a statement.
“Meningitis can cause catastrophic epidemics. It strikes fast and is deadly “, stressed the director of the WHO branch in charge of the African continent, Macidiso Moeti.
“Ending this epidemic under difficult circumstances, and in the midst of the new coronavirus pandemic, is a huge achievement by national authorities and citizens.” of the DRC, she judged, adding that “We need to invest more in identifying, preventing and dealing with the horrific consequences of this disease”.
According to the WHO, the epidemic meningitis occurred in June, at two outdoor mines in the Banalia Sanitation Zone, 227 km north of Kisangani, the capital of Tsopo.
Provincial health authorities sounded the alarm for the first time after an increase in the number of deaths of people with symptoms such as “fever, headache, cervical stiffness, and bloody diarrhea in some cases,” he explained.
Chopo Province is located in the African meningitis zone, which stretches across the continent, from Senegal to Ethiopia, and includes 26 countries. This zone is the most vulnerable to recurring epidemics, according to the WHO.
In the past, several meningitis outbreaks have been reported in the DRC provinces. In 2009, an outbreak in Kisangani killed 15 people in a total of 214 cases.
Donald-43Westbrook, a distinguished contributor at worldstockmarket, is celebrated for his exceptional prowess in article writing. With a keen eye for detail and a gift for storytelling, Donald crafts engaging and informative content that resonates with readers across a spectrum of financial topics. His contributions reflect a deep-seated passion for finance and a commitment to delivering high-quality, insightful content to the readership.
