Ebola cases hit 782 as DRC outbreak worsens

n n

Ebola

n

Ebola cases in the Democratic Republic of the Congo have risen to 782, including 178 deaths, as the outbreak spreads to two additional health zones, authorities said.

n

The latest situation report showed that 72 new confirmed cases, including 29 deaths, were recorded in the eastern provinces of Ituri and North Kivu.

n

The newly affected health zones are Nia-Nia in Ituri and Mabalako in North Kivu, bringing the total to 31.

n

A health zone is a local public health management unit responsible for surveillance, case reporting and response coordination.

n

The outbreak, caused by the Bundibugyo Ebola virus, was officially declared on May 15 and has affected Ituri, North Kivu and South Kivu provinces.

n

According to the report, 359 patients were in isolation or receiving treatment as of Saturday, while 40 patients had recovered from the disease.

n

Health authorities also recorded 136 suspected cases, including 49 deaths, on Saturday, indicating continued transmission within affected communities.

n

The report said 6,275 contacts were under follow-up across the three affected provinces, but only 3,548 were reached by surveillance teams.

n

It noted that the overall contact follow-up rate stood at 56.5 per cent, significantly below the target rate of 95 per cent.

n

Authorities identified reluctance to undergo post-mortem testing as one of the major obstacles to effective outbreak control efforts.

n

Other challenges include inadequate capacity at Ebola treatment centres and weak contact-tracing systems in some affected areas.

n

The report also cited shortages of infection prevention materials in North Kivu, weak alert reporting mechanisms and a funding shortfall of 21.5 million dollars.

n

(Xinhua/NAN)

n n