The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has confirmed 1,203 cases of Ebola, with 321 deaths, since the outbreak began in mid-May, as per the latest report from the country’s health authorities. Among these cases, 148 patients have recovered, while 419 are currently in isolation or receiving medical care. Additionally, there are 265 suspected cases, including 77 deaths.
World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus mentioned that contact tracing efforts in the DRC have been expanding, leading to more recoveries among Ebola patients who are now able to return home. Despite these positive developments, he cautioned that challenges persist, citing ongoing war, insecurity, and prevalent mistrust as significant obstacles to the response efforts.
The report highlighted various operational hurdles confronting the Ebola response in the DRC. These challenges include community resistance to post-mortem testing, limited treatment capacity in Ituri where treatment centers are nearing full capacity, and a contact follow-up rate that falls below the targeted 95%. Moreover, shortages of essential medicines, infection prevention supplies, and a deficit of approximately 20 isolation centers were identified as critical issues.
The current Ebola outbreak, caused by the Bundibugyo ebolavirus, was officially declared on May 15. Meanwhile, the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has requested 1.4 billion US dollars to support the Ebola response efforts. During an online briefing, Africa CDC Director General Jean Kaseya expressed concerns about the escalating crisis, noting a substantial rise in cases over the past week and warning that if the outbreak persists for two years, it could become the largest Ebola outbreak on record.
