KINSHASA, June 9 (Xinhua) -- At least 90 percent of reported cases of Ebola have been vaccinated since the operation began in Equateur Province in northwestern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Minister of Health Oly Ilunga said Saturday here.
Ilunga told a press conference that vaccination and free healthcare and sensitization of the population in the health zones of Bikoro territory affected by the epidemic have had a positive impact in the response to Ebola virus disease in Equateur Province.
"These measures and many others have helped to have fewer reported cases. Vaccination has changed the attitude of the population and avoided stigmatization, both in Bikoro, Itipo and Iboko," said the minister.
Since the declaration of the epidemic in May, at least 38 cases have been confirmed in the laboratory in the health zone of Bikoro, with a total number of deaths that is 27 with 13 confirmed by the Ebola virus.
The DRC is at its ninth Ebola outbreak since 1976. The last outbreak took place in May 2017 in the province of Bas-Uele.
