DRC: Inside MSF's new laboratory for diagnosing Ebola disease
The new laboratory at the Elikya Ebola Treatment Centre in the Democratic Republic of Congo is an important tool in MSF's response to the current outbreak which is the fastest spreading on record.
Since the laboratory was set up, test results have been available in under 24 hours. This makes it possible to quickly determine whether a person is infected with the Bundibugyo virus or not. Before that, it sometimes took a week to get the results.
This led to the centre becoming overwhelmed, as it was not possible to separate suspected and confirmed cases within a reasonable timeframe. Since the laboratory became operational, the number of suspected cases has fallen dramatically, making it possible not only to provide the necessary care more quickly but also to discharge patients who have not been infected by the virus.
Thanks to the laboratory, biochemical analyses can also be carried out to assess the condition of the patient’s organs; some, such as the liver and kidneys, are severely affected by the disease. This also enables better patient care throughout their stay at the centre.
MSF and Ebola disease
Ebola is one of the world’s deadliest diseases.
The virus can kill up to 90 percent of the people who catch it, causing terror among infected communities.
In recent years, MSF teams have fought major outbreaks of Ebola in DRC and West Africa.