OMM Newsroom
Children are bearing a heavy share of the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the World Health Organization (WHO) and humanitarian partners said on Sunday, according to Anadolu Agency.
Official data show that more than 11,000 cases, including 5,400 deaths, have been reported since the outbreak began in May.
“Children account for more than a quarter of confirmed cases and one third of deaths. Seven in 10 children under five with confirmed Ebola have died,” the WHO said in a statement.
The outbreak has affected eight provinces: Haut-Uele, Ituri, North Kivu, South Kivu, Bas-Uele, Tshopo, South Ubangi and North Ubangi.
The WHO said the outbreak continues to expand, particularly in affected areas, amid ongoing conflict, displacement and humanitarian needs.
Although the response has slowed transmission in the initial epicentres, 400 to 500 new cases are still being reported each week, the organisation said.
The WHO also said that deaths in communities account for two-thirds of confirmed deaths, indicating that infections are still being identified too late.
There is currently no approved vaccine against the Bundibugyo virus strain, which was first declared in the Congo in mid-May.
Four African countries have so far been affected by the current outbreak: the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, Kenya and Nigeria.
“Recent imported cases in Kenya and Nigeria underscore the continuing risk of spread beyond national borders,” the WHO said.
