DRC Reports Suspected Ebola Cases Spread

The Democratic Republic of the Congo has reported two suspected cases of Ebola in Tshopo Province, raising concerns that the ongoing outbreak in the country might be spreading beyond its original epicentre in the east of the country. The development comes with the cumulative death toll from the outbreak hitting 600, according to the latest situation report from the government.

Health authorities said the outbreak has recorded 1,759 infections across Ituri, North Kivu and South Kivu since it was declared on May 15. The two suspected cases in Kisangani, the capital of Tshopo Province, have not yet been included in the official figures because laboratory tests are still being conducted to confirm the infections.

Officials said one of the suspected cases has been linked to the Niania health zone in Ituri, where the current outbreak originated. The latter case has no connection to any of the previously affected areas, raising concerns of possible community transmission.

In response, health teams have stepped up surveillance, contact tracing and other disease control measures in Kisangani to prevent further spread of the virus.

The latest government report also put the new infections at 51 and the new deaths at 20 in 24 hours, bringing the death toll to 600. This follows reports that authorities were investigating possible exposures to Ebola in the Tshopo and Haut-Uele provinces, which had not previously recorded cases in the current outbreak.

The outbreak is still growing and remains unstable, with population movement increasing the risk of transmission, the World Health Organisation has warned. Authorities said investigations into the suspected cases were underway.

SOURCE: Reuters