Ebola Cases in DR Congo Rise to 5,021, Africa CDC Reports
The number of confirmed Ebola cases in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has risen to 5,021, according to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).
The latest figures show that 2,378 people have died in the current outbreak.
The outbreak was officially declared on May 15. It is the DRC’s 17th Ebola outbreak and is believed to have been spreading for several weeks before authorities detected it.
Ebola outbreak becomes DRC’s worst on record
The current outbreak has affected parts of northern and eastern DRC.
Weak health infrastructure, limited state presence and armed group activity have complicated efforts to contain the virus.
Africa CDC said 2,378 deaths have been recorded among the 5,021 confirmed cases.
The figures make the current outbreak the largest in the country’s history by the number of confirmed cases.
The previous deadliest Ebola outbreak occurred between 2018 and 2020. It recorded 3,381 confirmed cases and 2,299 deaths, based on World Health Organisation (WHO) figures from Congolese authorities.
WHO warns Ebola outbreak remains a major threat
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has warned that the Ebola epidemic remains far from being brought under control.
He also said the risk of the virus spreading further within the country and across international borders remains high.
Ebola has killed more than 15,000 people across Africa over the past five decades.
Also Read: Ronaldinho Comes Out of Retirement at 46, Set to Play for Ravenna
The current outbreak involves the Bundibugyo virus, a strain of Ebola for which there is no approved vaccine or specific treatment.
However, clinical trials are currently underway as health authorities work to improve treatment options.
Community resistance complicates response
Health officials have faced several challenges in responding to the Ebola outbreak.
Africa CDC said some people have refused testing, while resistance in certain communities has affected surveillance and disease-control operations.
Mistrust and delays in coordinating the response have also made containment more difficult.
The WHO said efforts were being strengthened to reach communities affected by the virus and improve the overall response.
Meanwhile, the European Union announced that it would provide testing kits worth €2.5 million, equivalent to about $2.9 million, to support the Ebola response in the DRC.
With more than 5,000 confirmed cases already recorded, health authorities continue to face pressure to contain the outbreak and prevent further transmission.
