WHO
Bolatito Mercy
The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) continues to spread in parts of the country despite signs of improvement in some regions, the World Health Organization (WHO) has said.
According to the WHO, 7,200 cases and 3,475 deaths had been recorded across seven provinces as of September 12.
Olivier Le Polain, head of the WHO’s epidemiology and analytics response unit, said some areas of Ituri Province, including its capital, Bunia, were showing signs of improved control.
However, the situation remains concerning in North Kivu, particularly Butembo, where new infections and deaths have doubled over the past two weeks.
North Kivu accounted for about 45 per cent of new cases recorded last week, while Upper Uele continues to report between 30 and 40 new cases weekly.
The WHO said transmission had slowed in parts of Ituri, where the country’s 17th Ebola outbreak was first detected in May. No new case has also been reported in South Kivu since the end of May.
However, a newly reported case in South Ubangi means the virus is now present in seven provinces.
The WHO said the overall indicators had yet to show the level of improvement needed to consider the outbreak under control.
