According to the DRC Ministry of Health (MoH), Mangina area, in the Mabalako health zone, 30 km South-West of Beni in North Kivu, is facing since 11 May a surge of an unknown disease with 25 reported cases and an unknown number of deaths.
On 31 June, the MoH, together with the World Health Organisation (WHO), sent a team to assess the situation and initiate laboratory analyses. The same day, a humanitarian health partner sent an evaluation and first response team. Laboratory results are expected in the coming days. WHO human resources are available and deployable at field level in 24 hours, including to set-up a base if needed.
In Mangina, preventative measures have been taken by the medical staff to avoid the spread of this unknown disease: feet disinfection of all people coming in and out the health centre and strict hygiene rules have been reminded to the whole population of the area by the authorities.
A special ECHO Flight is scheduled today to transport health staff and medicines from Goma to Beni.