Ebola case count hits 3,433 in DRC
The World Health Organization's (WHO's) online Ebola dashboard shows a case count of 3,433 today, with a single newly confirmed case. The death toll is now 2,249 in an outbreak that has lasted 18 months in northeastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
The WHO said 334 suspected cases are currently under investigation. According to the latest weekly report from the WHO's African regional office, only one case has been reported in the past week, from Beni. In the past 3 weeks, 11 cases have been recorded.
"Beni remains the main hotspot for the continuing EVD outbreak as the number of new cases keep lowering," the WHO said. "While there is room for cautious optimism around the decline in new confirmed cases, continued access and heightened vigilance is required to maintain case investigation and contact tracing activities in all health zones."
Beni has reported 90% of cases in the past 21 days.
WHO Ebola dashboard
Feb 17 WHO African regional office report
Chad, Central African Republic report measles outbreaks
The WHO's African regional office also said that both Chad and the Central African Republic (CAR) are in the midst of measles outbreaks, with both countries reporting increasing case counts since the first of the year.
In Chad, 1,276 cases, including 14 deaths have been reported since Jan 1, with 352 suspected measles cases and 4 deaths reported in the week ending on Feb 9.
"Most, 78%, of the investigated cases never received any vaccination against measles," the WHO said. "Sixty percent of the investigated cases were under five years of age while 19% were between 5 and 14 years and 14% were 15 years and above."
In CAR, a total of 1,498 suspected measles cases, including 15 deaths, have been recorded since the first of the year. The outbreak has been ongoing since early 2019. From Jan 1, 2019, through Feb 9, 2020, a total of 5,724 suspected measles cases, including 83 deaths (case-fatality rate, 1.45%) have been reported in 13 health districts.
Almost three fourths of the cases (72%) are in children under the age of 5.
Feb 17 WHO African regional office report
WHO: Global flu levels still high, but some countries may have peaked
In a global flu update yesterday, the WHO noted high activity across the Northern Hemisphere, though some European countries seemed to have reached their seasonal peak.
Globally, 59% of detections are influenza A, and of subtyped flu A viruses, about 76% were 2009 H1N1. Of characterized B viruses, 98.5% belonged to the B-Victoria lineage.
Both Canada and the United States still have elevated levels of flu, with a strong showing from influenza B. Mexico reported increased activity due to influenza A H1N1. Some countries in Northern and Eastern Europe reported increasing flu detections, but Ireland and the United Kingdom reported a decrease in activity.
In China, the WHO said, "ILI activity increased once again after a slight decrease reported in recent weeks and was at a greater level than the activity recorded during the same time period in the three previous seasons."
In Central America and the Caribbean, flu detections were low.
Feb 17 WHO global flu report