DR Congo’s Ebola outbreak spreads to two new health zones, WHO says
Summary
The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has spread to two new health zones near the borders with the Central African Republic and South Sudan. The outbreak, caused by the Bundibugyo strain, has resulted in almost 7,900 confirmed cases and nearly 3,800 deaths, with challenges in controlling it due to conflict, displacement, and lack of vaccines.Key Facts
- Ebola cases have appeared in Bulu (South Ubangi) and Dungu (Haut-Uele), expanding the affected zones to 63 across seven provinces.
- As of September 23, there are 7,890 confirmed Ebola cases and 3,799 deaths in the DRC.
- The outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo strain, which currently has no approved vaccines.
- Conflict and population movement make it hard for health workers to track and treat patients.
- Contact tracing is low; only about 30,000 contacts have been identified compared to an estimated 420,000 expected.
- Ituri province is the outbreak’s epicenter with over 6,000 cases, followed by North Kivu with 1,480 cases.
- Death rates in North Kivu are higher (60%) than the national average (48%).
- Patients often avoid hospitals fearing they will be sent to treatment centers where they may die, hindering early treatment and control efforts.
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