Ebola transmission remains active across most affected zones in DR Congo, WHO says

Ebola transmission remains active in more than three-quarters of the health zones affected in the Democratic Republic of Congo since the outbreak began in May, the World Health Organization’s Africa regional office said in a situation report on Wednesday. The cumulative number of cases has approached 10,000, Anadolu Agency reported.

The outbreak, caused by the Bundibugyo virus strain, has affected eight provinces: Haut-Uele, Ituri, North Kivu, South Kivu, Bas-Uele, Tshopo, South-Ubangi and North Ubangi.

Confirmed Ebola cases in the country have exceeded 9,600, including 4,646 deaths since the outbreak was declared, according to WHO data.

Of the 66 health zones affected so far, 50 — or 75.8% — reported at least one new confirmed case in the latest 21-day period, the report said.

Ituri accounts for the largest share of cumulative confirmed cases, at 72.7%. Substantial transmission also continues in North Kivu and Haut-Uele.

The latest seven-day moving average shows a modest upward trend, suggesting transmission may be intensifying again, the report said.

The WHO said the outbreak is becoming increasingly challenging, with an expanding cluster of cases linked to the imported index case in Kenya and the confirmation of a case in Nigeria.

Kenya confirmed another Ebola infection on Tuesday, bringing its total number of cases to nine.

The report pointed to the outbreak’s growing international dimension and complexity. In the Democratic Republic of Congo, worsening insecurity, population displacement and restricted humanitarian access threaten to further undermine surveillance and response operations.

The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) called for global solidarity to stop Ebola after Nigeria confirmed a case in a patient in the capital, Abuja.

Africa CDC Director-General Jean Kaseya called for immediate, flexible financing, medical supplies, diagnostics, trained responders and stronger community-based surveillance.

Africa CDC is due to convene a high-level virtual meeting of African health ministers on Oct. 28 to assess the situation, improve cross-border coordination, accelerate support for affected countries and strengthen preparedness across the continent.

“Ebola is crossing borders. Our response must move faster, with stronger coordination, greater solidarity and decisive political leadership,” Kaseya said.