The World Health Organisation (WHO) on Friday said that effective vaccine accounted for the success in the fight against Ebola in Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, who said this at a news conference in Geneva, added that the agency had celebrated the end of the Ebola outbreak in DRC.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that DRC declared on June 25 that 10th Ebola outbreak in the country was over.
“Many of the same public health measures that have been successful in stopping Ebola – like case-finding, isolation, testing, contact tracing and respectful care – are the same measures that countries are now deploying against COVID-19.
“But we have also had a tool in the fight against Ebola that we do not yet have for COVID-19, an effective vaccine.
“Without it, there is no doubt we would have had more cases and more deaths,’’ he said.
According to him, it is clear that to bring COVID-19 under control, and to save lives, effective vaccines, diagnostics and therapeutics, are needed in unprecedented quantities and at an unprecedented speed.
“It is clear that because all people are at risk of COVID-19, all people should have access to all the tools to prevent, detect and treat it, not only those who can afford to pay for them,” he said.
Ghebreyesus called for vigilance against flare-up and support for survivors as the 10th Ebola outbreak in DRC ended.
“This long, complex and difficult outbreak has been overcome due to the leadership and commitment of the Government of the DRC and through the support of WHO, a multitude of partners, donors and, above all, the efforts of the communities affected by the virus.
READ ALSO: Ebola Drug Remdesivir Given ‘Emergency Approval’ To Treat COVID-19 In The US
“WHO congratulates all those involved in the arduous and often dangerous work required to end the outbreak, but stresses the need for vigilance, continuing to support survivors and maintaining strong surveillance and response systems in order to contain potential flare-ups is critical in the months to come,” he said.
The director-general said the outbreak took so much from all, especially the people of DRC.
“It took so much from all of us but we came out of it with valuable lessons, and valuable tools. The world is now better-equipped to respond to Ebola.
“A vaccine has been licensed and effective treatments identified.
“We should celebrate this moment, but we must resist complacency. Viruses do not take breaks.
“Ultimately, the best defence against any outbreak is investing in a stronger health system as the foundation for universal health coverage,” he said.
Ghebreyesus said the outbreak, declared in North Kivu on Aug.1, 2018, was the second largest in the world, and was challenging as it took place at active conflict zone.
”There were 3,470 cases, 2287 deaths and 1171 survivors.
“Led by the DRC Government and the Ministry of Health and supported by WHO and partners, the more than 22-month-long response involved training thousands of health workers, registering 250,000 contacts, testing 220, 000 samples, providing patients with equitable access to advanced therapeutics, vaccinating over 303,000 people with the highly effective rVSV-ZEBOV-GP vaccine, and offering care for all survivors after their recovery.
“The response was bolstered by the engagement and leadership of the affected communities. Thanks to their efforts, this outbreak did not spread globally.
“More than 16, 000 local frontline responders worked alongside the more than 1,500 people deployed by WHO,’’ he said. (NAN)
