The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo) has surpassed 10,000 confirmed cases, with nearly half of those infected reported dead, according to data from the country’s Ministry of Health.
The outbreak, declared in May and caused by the Bundibugyo virus, is spreading across several African countries, prompting health authorities to intensify efforts to contain the disease.
The report described the outbreak as the fastest-growing in history and the deadliest Ebola outbreak recorded in DR Congo.
Response teams are facing challenges, including armed conflict, poor roads, violence, mistrust and misinformation, which have complicated efforts to persuade people to report symptoms and seek medical care.
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The Bundibugyo virus is a rare strain of Ebola for which there is no approved vaccine or specific treatment, according to the report.
The report compared the current outbreak with the 2014–2016 West Africa Ebola epidemic, which recorded more than 28,000 cases and over 11,000 deaths.
It said the current outbreak had recorded substantially more cases and deaths over a comparable period since its declaration.
Widespread
The disease has spread across several African regions, with cases reported in countries including Kenya and Nigeria. Uganda and France were also listed among countries that had recorded cases, although neither had active cases at the time of the report.
The report identified surveillance challenges, noting that some initial cases were confirmed long after patients developed symptoms or travelled.
Response Summit
African health ministers are scheduled to hold a virtual summit to strengthen the continent’s collective response to the outbreak.
“Ebola is crossing borders. Our response must move faster, with stronger coordination, greater solidarity and decisive political leadership,” the head of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), Dr. Jean Kaseya said.
Recoveries
At least 2,600 patients had recovered from the disease in DR Congo, according to the report.
A video circulating online reportedly showed health workers in protective gear celebrating the discharge of the last two patients from a treatment centre in Mongbwalu, Ituri Province.
“The outbreak is far from over, but every life saved is worth celebrating,” the Director-General of the World Health Organisation (WHO), Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in response to the video.
