The World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General organized a meeting with the Emergency Committee regarding Ebola virus disease in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) on Friday in which the Committee expressed concern about the ongoing outbreak, according to a public statement. Despite some positive epidemiological trends in some regions, they said outbreaks of the disease in other areas presents challenges around community acceptance and security. In addition, the group says response continues to be hampered by a lack of adequate funding and strained human resources.
Furthermore, they said a cluster of cases in Uganda is not unexpected and the rapid response and initial containment is a testament to the importance of preparedness in neighboring countries and they commend the communication and collaboration between DRC and Uganda. At the same time, they underscored that Uganda is a reminder of the risk of spread to neighboring countries.
The Committee said the outbreak is a health emergency in DRC and the region but does not meet all the three criteria for a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). While the outbreak is an extraordinary event, they said, with risk of international spread, the ongoing response would not be enhanced by formal Temporary Recommendations under the International Health Regulations (IHR).
The Committee urges countries to follow this public health advice:
· At-risk countries should improve their preparedness for detecting and managing exported cases, as Uganda has done.
· Cross-border screening in DRC should continue and its quality improved and sustained.
· Continue to map population movements and sociological patterns that can predict risk of disease spread.
· All priority countries should put in place approvals for investigational medicines and vaccines as an immediate priority for preparedness.
· Optimal vaccine strategies that have maximum impact on curtailing the outbreak, as recommended by WHO’s Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE), should be implemented rapidly.
· The Committee is deeply disappointed that WHO and the affected countries have not received the funding and resources needed for this outbreak. The international community must step up funding and support strengthening of preparedness and response in DRC and neighboring countries.
· Continue to strengthen community awareness, engagement, and participation. There has been a great deal of progress in community engagement activities. However, in border communities, where mobility is especially likely, community engagement needs to be more sharply targeted to identify the populations most at risk.
