WHO Warns Ebola Outbreak in DRC Spreading Quickly

The current Ebola outbreak was declared on May 15 (AP Photo/Moses Sawasawa)

The World Health Organization (WHO) on Friday warned that a deadly Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is spreading quickly, even as response efforts are being scaled up. “The outbreak remains serious and is evolving very fast. However, I have seen a response that is growing stronger every day,” said Marie-Roseline Belizaire, WHO’s Africa emergencies chief, speaking to reporters in Bunia, the epicentre of the outbreak. She added that contact tracing has improved, with about 75% of known contacts now being reached, although WHO says at least 95% must be traced to effectively control the outbreak. The outbreak was declared on May 15, but transmission is believed to have been circulating undetected for some time before that. Belizaire noted that some patients are first seeking help from traditional healers or staying at home before going to health facilities, which delays treatment. She added that treatment capacity has increased significantly, from zero beds to more than 500. The outbreak is caused by the rare Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, for which there is currently no vaccine or specific treatment. So far, there have been 896 confirmed cases and 232 confirmed deaths, including 21 new cases reported in the last 24 hours, according to WHO figures. More than 90% of cases are concentrated in conflict-hit Ituri province, though the virus has also spread to North Kivu and South Kivu. In total, 78 people have recovered, which Belizaire described as a reminder that timely diagnosis and access to healthcare can save lives.(With AFP inputs)