Africa CDC confirms recovery of four Ebola frontline health workers in DRC

The Africa Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has announced that four frontline health workers affected by Ebola in Ituri, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), have fully recovered and received their discharge certificates.

Africa CDC said this in a post on its official X account on Sunday.

According to the agency, the development marks a significant milestone for response teams and communities working to halt transmission and save lives.

“It is a powerful moment for the response teams and communities working to stop transmission and save lives,” the statement said.

Africa CDC also reaffirmed its support for the DRC and its partners in the ongoing Ebola response.

Meanwhile, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the World Health Organization (WHO) said the declaration of a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) over the Ebola outbreak in the DRC and Uganda followed procedures outlined in the International Health Regulations (IHR).

WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus, told the 79th World Health Assembly in Geneva that the declaration was issued under Article 12 of the IHR due to growing concerns over the epidemic.

“On May 18, I declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern for an Ebola outbreak in DRC and Uganda.

“This is the first time a Director-General has declared a PHEIC before convening an Emergency Committee,” Ghebreyesus said.

He added that the committee would meet to consider temporary recommendations regarding the rapidly expanding Ebola outbreak.

“It was done under Article 12 of the IHR after consulting both health ministers, due to concerns over the scale and speed of the epidemic,” Ghebreyesus said.