An official from the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for Africa said on the 18th that the latest Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has killed 31 people.
Patrick Otim, a WHO Regional Office for Africa official, said at a virtual press conference held on the same day that as of the 17th, the DRC had reported 48 cases of Ebola virus infection, including 38 confirmed cases and 31 deaths. Otim stated that testing is ongoing and the outbreak data may change further.
Otim explained that vaccination efforts have recently begun, with some vaccines already delivered to the “epicenter” of the outbreak in the Bulape region of Kasaï province. These are being used to vaccinate more than 500 healthcare workers and close contacts of confirmed cases. Approximately 45,000 more vaccine doses will arrive in the DRC in the coming days. Otim emphasized that due to the remote location of Bulape, vaccine cold chain transportation and logistical support still face challenges.
Otim also said that after intervention measures were implemented, the outbreak has slowed down. He called for continued high vigilance against the epidemic and an acceleration of case testing, tracing, and vaccination to prevent further spread.
On the 4th of this month, the government of the DRC announced an Ebola outbreak in its central Kasaï province. This is the 16th Ebola outbreak in the DRC since 1976.
Ebola hemorrhagic fever, caused by the Ebola virus, is a contagious hemorrhagic disease. It is primarily transmitted through contact with the blood, body fluids, secretions, or excretions of a sick person or an infected animal. Clinical manifestations mainly include fever, bleeding, and multi-organ damage, with a mortality rate as high as 50% to 90%.