DRC Ebola outbreak surpasses 3,200 confirmed cases

The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has surpassed 3,200 confirmed cases, bringing it closer to becoming the country’s largest recorded outbreak, according to the Ministry of Health.

Health authorities reported 3,262 confirmed infections and 1,437 deaths since the outbreak was declared on May 15. The outbreak, centred in Ituri Province, has continued to spread rapidly, making it the fastest-growing Ebola outbreak the country has recorded.

The latest figures are approaching those of the 2018-2020 Ebola outbreak, which lasted nearly two years and resulted in more than 3,400 confirmed cases and over 2,200 deaths. The 2014-2016 Ebola epidemic in West Africa remains the deadliest on record, infecting more than 28,000 people and causing over 11,000 deaths across the region.

The current outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus, for which there is no approved vaccine or specific treatment. Health officials say the absence of licensed medical tools has made containment efforts more challenging.

Response teams are also contending with insecurity, population displacement and strikes by healthcare workers over unpaid wages. Authorities have not yet identified the outbreak’s first patient, while armed conflict and illegal mining activities continue to hinder surveillance and contact tracing in affected communities.

Aid organisation Mercy Corps warned that the outbreak continues to spread faster than response efforts in some areas. However, health officials said cooperation from local communities has improved in recent weeks. In Mongbwalu, one of the worst-affected towns, residents have pledged support for response teams after earlier attacks on Ebola treatment centres.

SOURCE: Reuters