In 2018, the most severe Ebola epidemic in the country's history broke out in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Well over 1,000 people have contracted the disease. Since the beginning of the outbreak, teams from DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS have been supporting the Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization (WHO) in fighting the epidemic. While a vaccine is now being used for the first time; and new medicines are also bringing hope - the mortality rate is still higher than during the major Ebola epidemic in West Africa in 2014-2016, with over 600 deaths so far [as of March 2019]. Nearly half of those died at home because people did not seek out treatment centers out of mistrust.
Pivotal to an epidemic are preventing transmission of the Ebola virus and educating the population. However, the precarious security situation in many of the affected areas makes effective control difficult. In particular, it is difficult to inform the population about the spread of Ebola and about necessary measures to combat the virus. As a result of violent attacks, DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS has also had to withdraw from two Ebola centres, but continues to work in the region to contain the epidemic.
Christian Kleine has been on mission with DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS for the third time to combat Viral Haemorrhagic Fevers, including twice in Ebola outbreaks. The experienced tropical physician explains the disease and tells what is important to stop the epidemic. He gives an insight into the day-to-day work in Ebola centres and explains the challenges of setting up an Ebola project in such a difficult context.
There will be a stimulating discussion and many questions will be answered after the lecture.
Moderator: Florian Westphal (Executive Director of DOCTORS WITHOUT FRONTIERS).
The Pub Talk starts at 7pm, admission for the event is from 6:30pm.
