Congo Ebola cases rise to 896: health authorities
Kinshasa, June 19
The number of confirmed Ebola cases in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has risen to 896, including 232 deaths, the country's public health authorities said.
Twenty-one new confirmed cases, including six deaths, were reported Wednesday in the eastern provinces of Ituri and North Kivu, the health ministry said in its daily update. The outbreak, caused by the Bundibugyo ebolavirus, has affected 33 health zones across three eastern provinces --Ituri, North Kivu and South Kivu.
Health authorities said 383 patients were either in isolation or hospitalized, while 78 patients had recovered, including 11 newly declared recoveries following negative control tests.
A total of 151 suspected cases, including 35 deaths, were also reported on Wednesday. Authorities said 6,367 contacts were under follow-up across the three provinces, of whom 4,525 were reached during the reporting period, representing a follow-up rate of 71.1 per cent.
The report said the number of confirmed cases continued to rise week by week, indicating ongoing community transmission. It also warned that rapid geographic spread remained possible if public health measures were not implemented swiftly.
The current outbreak, the DRC's 17th Ebola outbreak, was officially declared on May 15, Xinhua news agency reported.
Ebola disease first occurred in 1976 in two simultaneous outbreaks: one outbreak was of Sudan virus disease in Nzara in what is now South Sudan, and the other outbreak was of Ebola virus disease in Yambuku, in what is now the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The latter occurred in a village near the Ebola River, from which the disease takes its name.
The symptoms of Ebola disease can be sudden and include fever, fatigue, malaise, muscle pain, headache and sore throat. These are followed by vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain rash, and symptoms of impaired kidney and liver functions. It is important for health and care workers to be on the lookout for these symptoms.
— IANS
Reader Comments
The follow-up rate of 71.1% is worrying — that means nearly 30% of contacts are being missed. In India, during COVID we had similar challenges in dense urban areas. The DRC's situation in conflict zones like North Kivu must be even harder. The WHO needs to step up coordination with local leaders immediately.
Sad to see this still happening. The DRC has been battling Ebola for years, and now 17 outbreaks? 😞 India should send our rapid response medical teams — we have experience from the COVID period and good logistics for remote areas. Also, our vaccine manufacturing capabilities could help produce doses faster.
The article mentions community transmission is ongoing — that's the most dangerous part. In India, we saw how quickly local transmission can spiral. The DRC needs door-to-door screening and community education about symptoms. The culture there is different, so they need local language messaging, not just technical reports.
This is a serious wake-up call for all nations. The DRC's health system is fragile, and 232 deaths already. I hope Indian agencies like ICMR are monitoring this — we can't be complacent. Travel screening at airports should be strict. Also, why is the global response so slow? Every day matters. 😤
It's heartbreaking to see 78 recoveries out of 383 hospitalized is actually decent progress, but 232 deaths is too high. The outbreak started in May and now it's June — that's rapid spread. 😔 The DRC needs more than just reports; they need actual medical supplies and field hospitals. India should offer assistance through the African
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