Republica

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WHO says Congo faces 'very high' risk from Ebola outbreak

GENEVA, May 18: Democratic Republic of Congo faces a "very high" public health risk from Ebola after the disease was confirmed in one patient in a major city, the World Health Organization said on Friday, raising its assessment from "high" previously.

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सम्बन्धित सामग्री

New Ebola case confirmed in Congo

Nepalnews श्रावण २०७९

Congo probes suspected Ebola case in North Kivu

Health authorities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo are investigating a suspected case of Ebola virus disease

Nepalnews श्रावण २०७९

Congo probes suspected Ebola case in North Kivu

Health authorities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo are investigating a suspected case of Ebola virus disease

Nepalnews श्रावण २०७९

What is the Marburg virus and how can it be avoided?

What is the Marburg virus? A cousin of the equally deadly Ebola virus, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), the Marburg virus, was first identified after 31 people were infected and seven died in simultaneous outbreaks in 1967 in: -Marburg and Frankfurt, Germany -Belgrade, Serbia The outbreak was traced to African green monkeys imported from Uganda. But the virus has been linked to other animals since then. And among humans, it is spread mostly by people who have spent long periods in caves and mines populated by bats. This is Ghana's first outbreak - but a number of African countries have had them, including: -the Democratic Republic of the Congo -Kenya -South Africa -Uganda -Zimbabwe A 2005 outbreak in Angola killed more than 300 people. But in Europe, only one person has died in the past 40 years - and one in the US, after returning from expeditions to caves in Uganda. Major outbreaks: -2017, Uganda: three cases, three died -2012, Uganda: 15 cases, four died -2005, Angola: 374 cases, 329 died -1998-2000, DR Congo: 154 cases, 128 died -1967, Germany: 29 cases, seven died Source: WHO What illness does it cause? The virus begins abruptly with: -a fever -severe headache -muscle pains This is often followed, three days later, by: -watery diarrhoea -stomach pain -nausea -vomiting The WHO says: "The appearance of patients at this phase has been described as showing 'ghost-like' drawn features, deep-set eyes, expressionless faces and extreme lethargy." Many people go on to bleed from various parts of the body and die eight to nine days after first falling ill, because of extreme loss of blood and shock. On average, the virus kills half those infected, the WHO says, but the most harmful strains have killed up to 88%. How is it spread? The Egyptian rousette fruit bat often harbours the virus. African green monkeys and pigs can also carry it. Among humans, it spreads through bodily fluids and bedding contaminated with them. And even if people recover, their blood or semen, for example, can infect others for many months afterwards. How can it be treated? There is no specific vaccine or treatments for the virus. But a range of blood products, drug and immune therapies are being developed, the WHO says. And doctors may be able to alleviate the symptoms by giving hospital patients plenty of fluids and replacing lost blood. How can it be contained? People in Africa should avoid eating or handling bushmeat, Gavi, an international organisation promoting vaccine access, says. People should also avoid contact with pigs in areas with an outbreak, the WHO says. Men who have had the virus should use condoms for a year after the onset of symptoms or until their semen twice tests negative. And those burying people who have died from the virus should avoid touching the body. With inputs from BBC

Ratopati English आषाढ २०७९

SP Malla bags UN Woman Police Officer of the Year Award

The United Nations Department of Peace Operations announced that Superintendent of Police (SP) Sangya Malla of Nepal, currently serving in the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), will be awarded the 2021 United Nations Woman Police Officer of the Year. Superintendent Malla will be presented the award by United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres at a virtual ceremony on 9 November. Superintendent Malla currently serves as the Chief of the MONUSCO Police Health and Environment Unit, which she helped establish in the country’s capital, Kinshasa. The unit is responsible for implementing policies and procedures concerning the health and well-being of personnel as well as United Nations Police environmental initiatives. Her contributions have added direct significance in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and past outbreaks of Ebola virus disease, as well as natural and humanitarian crises such as the volcanic eruption in Goma last May, during which her unit alerted the local population and UN staff of precautionary measures. “She helped establish and now leads MONUSCO’s Health and Environment Unit, enhancing the safety and welfare of our peacekeepers by mitigating the risks from COVID-19 and other threats,” said United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres. “And she represents something far larger — the many contributions of women police officers in advancing peace and security around the world. Through her work, Superintendent Malla embodies the best of the United Nations.” A medical professional by training, Superintendent Malla helped develop guidance for preventing and mitigating the spread of COVID-19. She has organized over 300 awareness sessions this year on COVID-19 prevention as well as environmental protection for the local population, Congolese authorities and UN staff. As the MONUSCO Police’s focal point on COVID-19, she also has been disseminating information about the vaccines and promoting vaccination efforts. “I am honored to receive this award, and I hope it will encourage more young women in my country and around the world to pursue careers in policing, which is still too often viewed as man's work’,” said Superintendent Malla. The United Nations Woman Police Officer of the Year award was established in 2011 to recognize the exceptional contributions of women police officers to UN peace operations and to promote the empowerment of women.

Ratopati English आश्विन २०७८

Diplomats, donors concerned about sex abuse reports at WHO

British, European and American diplomats and donors have voiced serious concerns about how the World Health Organization handled sex abuse allegations involving its own staff during an outbreak of Ebola in Congo, as reported this week by The Associated Press.

The Himalayan Times बैशाख २०७८

WHO to administer experimental vaccine after 19 die in Democratic Republic of Congo

Republica आश्विन २०७४