Ebola in Congo

By James Fischer
Director of Economic Development
Paul Carlson Partnership

Ebola has been in the news every day. Many of you have probably heard that there was recently a confirmed Ebola outbreak in north western DRC. This outbreak in the Boende region of Equateur was identified very early and is in no way related to the ongoing struggle with Ebola in West Africa.

Congolese and international teams quickly traced the virus to someone who contracted it while preparing bush meat. A large international team is currently in the region monitoring the progress of the virus, treating those affected by it, and educating communities about Ebola prevention. This outbreak is in an isolated community far from the area where PCP works. While patients are treated and the situation is monitored, authorities have delineated a quarantine zone of about 40 square miles and believe that the outbreak is contained. PCP is actively monitoring this situation.

Even as we thank God for the quick response to this outbreak, we ask that you pray with us for those suffering with the virus, for the families of the victims, and for an immediate stop to its spread. As we pray, we ask that God would comfort the mourning and heal the sick.

The staff of PCP is also prayerfully considering a strategic response to this outbreak. Though Ebola has not been found in the area we serve, the outbreak in Boende highlights the great need for increased community health education, which includes things like hygiene and sanitation. This sort of basic health education, a big part of PCP’s work in the area, serves to prevent not just Ebola but a whole host of other diseases whose deadly impact, over time, dwarfs Ebola. Because of the increased attention to hygiene and sanitation that Ebola has brought to the region, we believe that now is the time to act on expanding the capacities of our health educators and clinics to combat not just Ebola, present and future, but chronic diarrhea, malaria, and a whole host of other preventable diseases that continue to plague north western DRC.

And so as we pray with urgency for the present Ebola crisis, we pray for those dealing chronically with the crisis of preventable disease and the tireless health workers addressing the problem.

Give to PCP's Ebola Response

Remembering Dr. Fernly Johnson

Dr. Fernly Johnson - a missionary to Congo and founding member of PCP's Board of Directors - passed away on August 17th, 2014. Dr. Johnson, 95, had served in many capacities in Congo, including alongside Dr. Paul Carlson. He was a clinic physician in Kinshasa for 7 years, and worked with the Congolese government to establish a residency program for University of Illinois surgical students. An active missionary and life-long supporter of PCP, Dr. Johnson was a distinguished physician and surgeon, also serving in the US Navy and later at Swedish Covenant Hospital.

Memorial contributions can be directed to PCP here.

Dr. Johnson's obituary is available here.

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