Over 1,000 deaths recorded in Ebola outbreak in DRC, Uganda: WHO

What the report says

CNA, citing AFP, reported that the World Health Organization said on Wednesday, July 22, that an Ebola outbreak declared in May has now caused more than 1,000 deaths across the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda. According to the WHO overview based on official figures from both countries, DRC has confirmed 2,473 cases, including 999 deaths, while Uganda has recorded 20 cases and two deaths.

The outbreak is DRC’s 17th and was announced on May 15 after deaths were identified in Ituri, a northeastern province affected by poverty, mineral-related instability and armed groups. CNA reported that the response has been particularly difficult in Ituri, where Doctors Without Borders emergency director Trish Newport said contact tracing demands major resources. Some burials have reportedly taken place without protective measures, raising the risk of further transmission.

Cases have also been detected in four other DRC provinces. Uganda’s cases were reported mostly among Congolese citizens who crossed the border, and Ugandan authorities say the country has gone three weeks without a new recorded case. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warned last week that the outbreak had grown faster in the previous month than any earlier Ebola outbreak, while WHO incident manager Thierno Balde said responders were still trying to catch up.

The outbreak involves the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, for which CNA reported there is currently no approved vaccine or treatment. WHO has pointed to early progress from field trials involving two possible treatments, a vaccine and post-exposure prophylaxis. The situation matters because Ebola can spread through close contact with infected bodily fluids and can be especially hard to contain in conflict-affected areas with cross-border movement.