Ebola outbreak in Congo claims 31 lives, according to the World Health Organization
The latest data from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) shows a concerning increase in the casualty rate of Ebola, with 31 deaths reported out of 38 confirmed cases. This marks a near doubling of the death toll since last week.
The World Health Organization (WHO) announced on Thursday that the outbreak, which was first declared on Sept. 5, 2022, is occurring in the southern part of the country, specifically in the locality of Bulape in Kasai. The rapid spread of the disease has led to the identification of over 900 contacts so far.
In an effort to combat the outbreak, vaccinations for Ebola began in the affected region on Sunday. Dr Patrick Otim, an official at WHO Africa's programme, stated that these vaccinations offer crucial protection to more than 500 health care workers and contacts in the DRC.
However, accessibility challenges have caused delays in transporting the vaccines to the affected region in Bulape. WHO officials have been transporting the vaccines in small batches due to a lack of storage infrastructure in the area.
An additional batch of Ebola vaccines is scheduled to arrive from Friday through Sunday, as approved by the International Coordinating Group on Vaccine Provision.
Sheillah Nsasiirwe, health emergency officer for immunisation at WHO Africa, has stated that the vaccination process has been delayed due to these accessibility challenges.
The Ebola outbreak has spread from two districts to four, as reported last week by the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC). Despite these challenges, the WHO remains committed to controlling the outbreak and protecting the population.
As of Thursday, more than 500 health care workers and contacts have received their Ebola vaccinations in the DRC. The search results do not provide information about the WHO Africa program leader who started vaccinations in the affected area on Sunday.
The WHO continues to work closely with the DRC government and other partners to respond to this outbreak and prevent further spread of the disease. The organisation urges the public to follow recommended precautions, including washing hands regularly, avoiding contact with sick individuals, and reporting any suspected cases to authorities.
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