Congo-Kinshasa: Ebola Outbreak Slows in Parts of DR Congo but Crisis Remains Severe

What the report says

Ebola infections are easing in some parts of eastern Democratic Republic of Congo four months after the outbreak began, but health officials and the World Health Organization say the crisis is still serious and uneven across the country. The report, published by Radio France Internationale and distributed by AllAfrica, says the outbreak was officially declared on 15 May and has since spread to seven provinces.

According to the article, there have been 7,258 confirmed cases, 3,510 deaths and 1,726 recoveries. Congolese Health Minister Samuel Kamba said transmission has slowed since mid-August and daily new infections have dropped from about 120 to nearly 80. Some progress has also been seen in Ituri province, which the report identifies as the epicentre, including three health zones that have gone 41 days without a new case.

However, the WHO cautioned that national trends do not reflect conditions everywhere. It said infections are rising quickly in North Kivu, especially in Butembo, and warned it is too soon to say the outbreak has peaked. The article also notes a new case in South Ubangi, far from the main outbreak zone, underscoring the risk of wider spread as people move across the country.

The report says the response still needs more health workers and that treatments and vaccines are being tested against the Bundibugyo strain involved in the outbreak, for which no approved vaccine or treatment currently exists.