African Food and Art

This blog explores the wisdom of African proverbs, the depth of folklore, the beauty of art, the stories of history, and the flavors of timeless African food recipes.

The DRC death rate from Ebola is 66% in 2019

The DRC is a country located in central Africa where Ebola is still devastating Africa’s second largest country.

In The Democratic Republic of the Congo, the death rate from Ebola is 66% with 3,210 cases, 2,144 deaths, and 1,027 survivors.


Ebola virus outbreak

How this outbreak of Ebola compares to other Ebola outbreaks. DRC outbreak is the second biggest outbreak of the Ebola Virus since the tracking of the disease in 1976, sadly Ebola is still killing African people in 2019.

The Ebola virus outbreak is heaviest in nine areas including Katwa and Vuhovi DRC. This Ebola outbreak is primarily affecting the northeastern provinces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo bordering Uganda, Rwanda, and South Sudan. During February 13 to April 4, 2019, a major increase in new confirmed and probable Ebola cases have been reported with a high risk of further spread.

DRC outbreak is the second biggest outbreak of the Ebola Virus since the tracking of the disease in 1976. As of April 4, 2019, there were 1,100 Ebola cases reported, of which 58% were female and 29% were children aged less than 18 years. Overall, 695 deaths and a case fatality ratio of 63% with 304 patients discharged from Ebola Treatment Centers. The number of healthcare workers affected has risen to 81 or 7% of total cases, including 27 deaths.

February 2019 saw many attacks on Ebola treatment centers as well as the murder of one nurse. There were burned out buildings and vehicles, including an ambulance. The epicenter of the outbreak has been in the towns of Butembo and Katwa where an armed groups don't believe Ebola in their region exists sparking numerous conspiracy theories. As a result, many people have become wary of the doctors and nurses who treat Ebola victims and many blame them for spreading the disease.

On February 19, a group of men armed with bows and arrows murdered a nurse working in an Ebola center in Vuhovi, DRC. Five days later during an attack on February 24, armed men burned an Ebola clinic in the hard hit town of Katwa.
More about Ebola in Africa ➙Ebola Workers in Africa Strike Over Not Being Paid

Three Ebola facts
Ebola virus outbreaks have occurred in Africa for decades. One reason the Ebola virus is deadly is due to the virus’s ability to interfere with the immune system. There is no approved vaccine or treatment for Ebola.

There is currently no licensed vaccine to protect people from the Ebola virus. However, the yet to be licensed Recombinant vesicular stomatitis virus–Zaire Ebola virus rVSV-ZEBOV Ebola vaccine has been approved for compassionate use in outbreaks. The vaccine delivers the Ebola virus gene inserts but does not replicate further. The gene inserts express an Ebola virus protein designed to prompt the human body to make an immune response. The investigational vaccine contains no infectious Ebola virus material.

In 2015, as a response to the devastating Ebola outbreak Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone where over 11,000 people died a ring vaccination trial took place in Guinea, it was found the vaccine was highly effective against Ebola. Guinean authorities gave their approval to loan more than 30 of the country’s health experts to the Democratic Republic of the Congo for the ring vaccination. I am here to help my brothers and friends in the Democratic Republic of Congo to fight against Ebola," said Dr Alhassane. "Ring vaccination can help stop the spread of the Ebola virus. 

The Ebola virus

Ring vaccination is a new and vital tool in the control of Ebola. The ring vaccination is led by the National Institute of Biomedical Research and the Ministry of Health of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which is working with a wide range of partners, including WHO, Médecins sans Frontières Doctors Without Borders and UNICEF.

Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, contributed funds towards the operational costs, and through an agreement with Merck, the vaccine developer, helped ensure that 300,000 investigational doses of the vaccine are available in case of an outbreak. The vaccination is being provided to the contacts of confirmed cases and the contacts of contacts, as well as healthcare workers, front line responders and other people with potential exposure to Ebola.

Ebola symptoms vary but the sudden onset of fever, intense weakness; muscle pain, headache, and sore throat are commonly experienced at the beginning of the disease, the dry phase. As the disease progresses, people commonly develop vomiting and diarrhea, the wet phase, rash, impaired kidney and liver function, and in some cases, both internal and external bleeding. More about Ebola in Africa ➙History of Ebola Virus Outbreaks in Africa

Week’s Best African Culture Posts

Kru Tribe Fine Boy Tradition

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Dream-nightmare story from the Kru people of Liberia: the newly chosen Fine Boy is temporarily celebrated with fanfare and pleasure. Kru Tribe Fine Boy Tradition Fascinating stories emerged during the Pepper Coast's glory days. Beginning in the 15th century, European traders established outposts along the Liberian coastline, drawn by its wealth of humans, spices, and other commodities.  Centuries later, in the 19th century, the American Colonization Society (ACS) founded settlements in Liberia and began journalling native stories.  Among these tales is a dream-nightmare story from the Kru people of Liberia, a story so intriguing it almost seems too good to be true because, in some ways, it is.   The Kru women periodically held elections to select a young, handsome man as their “Fine Boy.” The announcement of his selection was celebrated with a vibrant procession featuring music, singing, and dancing.  The newly chosen Fine Boy was placed at the front of the para...
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What is the difference between ugali and fufu

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How to make the popular African recipes Ugali and Fufu and what is the difference.  Ugali is a starch dish in Kenya and Tanzania made of fine cornmeal cooked in boiling water into a soft dough. Fufu is a thick, dough-like West African food made by boiling then pounding a starchy vegetable such as yam, plantain, or cassava or a mixture of starchy vegetables. The main difference between fufu and ugali is fufu is boiled first then pounded while ugali is simply boiled. Ugali recipe. Easy Ugali Recipe Prep time 5 minutes Cook time 30 minutes Total time 30 minutes Ingredients 4 cups finely ground cornmeal 8 cups water Directions Heat water to boiling in a saucepan. Slowly pour cornmeal into boiling water stirring continuously. Add more cornmeal if necessary until it is thick as soft bread dough. Serve immediately with vegetables, stew, or any dish you would use a spoon with to soak up the sauce, ugali is purposely bland tasting on its own. What is the difference between ugali ...
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Berbere Spice Popcorn Topping Recipe

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Berbere Spice North African Popcorn Topping Recipe The best African spice for fresh popped popcorn is Berbere, a flavorful and aromatic bold spice blend from North Africa you buy at the local supermarket or online. Berbere is known for its bold mix of spices, often including chili peppers, garlic, ginger, fenugreek, cardamom, coriander, cinnamon, and cloves.  Berbere brings a balance of heat, sweetness, and earthy depth to any dish including fresh popped popcorn. The spice mix symbolizes community and hospitality, often prepared at home with slight variations to suit family preferences. Its fiery yet balanced flavor profile mirrors the complex and vibrant food of North African culture . In cities across Africa, popcorn is a common street snack and is often sold in cinemas, at markets, and by roadside vendors.  Berbere Spice Popcorn Topping Recipe Ingredients ½ cup poped popcorn kernels  2 tablespoons unsalted butter 1 teaspoon Berbere spice blend   1 teaspoon salt ...
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Keto Moroccan Dinner Cooked Slowly

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Slow Cooked Moroccan Kefta Lamb Meatballs   Keto Tagine Morocco is at the geographic and cultural crossroads between Africa, Europe, and the Middle East.   In Morocco, the term tagine refers to a slow cooked stew as well as the pot the stew is made in. Kefta Tagine Kefta Tagine is a keto-friendly Moroccan lamb meatball food dish fitted for your low-carb lifestyle. The slow cooking of the meatballs allows the flavors to meld beautifully, creating a fragrant, hearty keto meal. The star of the Kefta Tagine dish is lamb, symbolizing the richness of Moroccan hospitality. Lamb meat has been a staple in North African cuisine for centuries, with lamb being central to celebrations and religious festivals.  Ground lamb meat is spiced and shaped into small balls, known as kefta, a preparation that dates back to ancient Berber traditions.  The kefta are seasoned with cumin, paprika, and coriander, spices that have shaped Morocco’s history in the global trading of spices whi...
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