DR Congo Reports 1,502 Confirmed Ebola Cases, 473 Deaths

Dragon Media News Desk

The Democratic Republic of the Congo has reported 1,502 confirmed Ebola cases, including 473 deaths, as the World Health Organization warned that the outbreak remains serious.

According to the latest situation report released by Congolese public health authorities on Friday, 628 patients are currently in isolation or receiving hospital treatment, while 229 people have recovered.

Authorities have also recorded 213 suspected cases, including 63 deaths.

Mohamed Yakub Janabi, the WHO Regional Director for Africa, said during an online media briefing that transmission was continuing in the eastern provinces of Ituri and North Kivu.

Janabi said the current outbreak is the largest outbreak of Ebola disease caused by the Bundibugyo virus ever recorded.

Pierre Akilimali, a WHO expert in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, said the outbreak was affecting areas facing insecurity and armed group activity, making the detection of cases and tracing of contacts more difficult.

Some affected areas in Ituri are mining zones where the frequent movement of workers and visitors from other regions has increased the risk of further transmission.

The WHO said insecurity, population movement and limited access to some affected communities were complicating efforts to identify patients, trace contacts and provide timely medical care.

There is currently no approved vaccine or specific treatment for Ebola disease caused by the Bundibugyo virus.

The WHO announced on Thursday that a clinical trial had begun enrolling patients in the Democratic Republic of the Congo to evaluate potential treatments for the disease.

Health authorities and international partners are continuing efforts to isolate patients, monitor people who may have been exposed, strengthen infection prevention measures and improve community awareness in the affected provinces.