Spasms of insecurity and violence continued to rock Ebola hot spots in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) outbreak region over the weekend, temporarily halting response activities in Butembo, as the number of new cases reported in recent days grew by 43.
In research developments, a new study on the impact of intravenous (IV) fluid therapy during West Africa’s outbreak found no difference in survival at the 28-day mark compared with people who didn’t receive it, though the investigators said randomized controlled trials are needed to clarify its impact and role in resource-limited field settings.
Unrest and attacks
In Butembo and nearby health areas, a May 4 demonstration by taxi drivers temporarily stopped response activities after the group placed wooden barricades on the main road arteries, the health ministry said yesterday. The protesters also attacked handwashing devices throughout the city.
A day earlier, bikers tried to attack a safe and dignified burial team and their security attachment who were attending to the body of a woman from Katwa who had recently died from Ebola. Two of the bikers were shot and killed during the altercation, and an investigation is under way into their deaths, the health ministry said.
www.cidrap.umn.edu/news-perspective/2019/05/drc-warns-new-ebola-wave-after-latest-violence
Doctors at Ebola epicenter in Congo threaten strike INDEFINITELY if health workers attacked again
Doctors at the epicenter of Congo’s Ebola crisis are threatening to go on strike indefinitely if health workers are attacked again.
The march on Wednesday comes after a Cameroon national working for the World Health Organization was killed last week on assignment in eastern Congo.
UFS