The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) is the “fastest growing” ever, African health authorities warned on Thursday, as the World Health Organization (WHO) reported 600 confirmed deaths.
The latest WHO figures showed that DR Congo has recorded 1,759 confirmed Ebola cases since the outbreak was declared in mid-May, including 600 deaths.
“This is the fastest growing Ebola outbreak ever, not only among the previous Bundibugyo outbreaks, but all the different viruses that are causing Ebola,” Wessam Mankoula, head of emergency preparedness and response at the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), told the media.
‘Virus Ahead Of Response’
Mankoula said the current outbreak had grown faster than previous major outbreaks, including
the 2013-16 Ebola outbreak in West Africa, which recorded 994 cases in its first six weeks. The current outbreak has recorded 1,596 cases in the same period.
“Unfortunately the virus is still ahead of our response. It’s moving faster than deploying the resources to control the situation,” he said.
He added that the number of cases was estimated to be doubling every 28 days and said $1.4 billion was needed for the disease and humanitarian response.
The outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, a rare type with no approved vaccine or treatment. The WHO said the case fatality rate in DR Congo stands at 34 percent, meaning about one in three patients have died.
A total of 285 patients have recovered, while 304 suspected cases are under investigation. The outbreak has affected four provinces in northeastern DR Congo, with Ituri province being the main focus.
Response Efforts Face Challenges
The Ebola outbreak was declared on May 15 after several deaths in Ituri province. Health officials said population movement, insecurity and a weak health system have made efforts to control the outbreak more difficult.
The WHO said there are around 700 beds across 22 treatment centres, with more beds being added. More than 10,000 contacts of infected people are being monitored.
Two potential treatments for the Bundibugyo strain began trials in DR Congo on July 2, including the monoclonal antibody MBP134 and the antiviral drug remdesivir.
(With inputs from agencies)
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