DRC Ebola Outbreak Passes 100 Days

The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has passed 100 days, with more than 5,200 cases recorded as the virus spreads to a sixth province, the World Health Organization (WHO) said.

The WHO described it as the fastest-growing Ebola outbreak in the history of the country, with an average of about 90 confirmed cases reported each day during its first three months.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the outbreak could still be brought under control but warned that stronger action led by national, provincial, and local authorities was needed.

The agency said transmission was currently outpacing control efforts and called for a major expansion of the response.

Mortality remains high, particularly among people who die before reaching Ebola treatment centres. Community deaths accounted for about 60% of the 260 weekly fatalities recorded over the past six weeks.

The response has been hampered by insecurity, conflict, population displacement, attacks on health facilities, community resistance, and difficult access to affected areas.

However, the WHO said response capacity has expanded significantly. Laboratory testing has increased from one facility to 19 laboratories, while treatment capacity has grown from fewer than 10 beds to more than 1,300.

More than 900 health facilities have also received infection prevention support, while community engagement efforts have reached over 2.5 million people.

Contact tracing has improved from 9% during the first week of the outbreak to 84% as of August 18.

SOURCE: TRTAfrika