The Health Minister of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Roger Kamba, revealed that the number of confirmed Ebola cases has reached 635 as of June 9. The outbreak, attributed to the Bundibugyo Ebola virus, continues to present challenges. However, there is progress in the response efforts, with more patients recovering and enhanced contact tracing.
Kamba stated that the percentage of contacts under follow-up has risen to 61.1%, showing an improvement from the previous day. Health authorities are maintaining high vigilance by monitoring all zones, alerts, and signals. Additionally, Kamba announced eight new recoveries, bringing the total number of recovered patients to 30, with a message emphasizing the importance of seeking early treatment.
Efforts in the affected provinces of Ituri, North Kivu, and South Kivu include the deployment of 490 tonnes of medicines, reinforcement of laboratories, and continuous mobilization of response teams. The latest Ebola outbreak in the DRC was declared on May 15, with the World Health Organization subsequently categorizing it as a public health emergency of international concern.
The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention highlighted operational challenges faced by response efforts, such as poor conditions in health facilities, lack of essential supplies, and logistical obstacles. Urgent priorities outlined include enhancing community engagement, rapid response teams deployment, improving infection prevention, and strengthening surveillance and contact follow-up.
