New Ebola outbreak in eastern DR Congo: 246 cases and 65 deaths reported
A new Ebola outbreak has been reported in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. The Africa CDC says about 246 cases have been reported, with 65 deaths so far. The affected area overlaps with regions still suffering ongoing armed conflict.
According to the BBC, the Ebola outbreak concentrated in the Kasai region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo has spread rapidly in recent weeks. Africa CDC reports that most cases reach a health facility within three days of symptom onset, but laboratory confirmation capacity remains limited.
Active armed groups in the area complicate keeping health corridors open and vaccine deliveries flowing. The World Health Organization says nearly 1,000 doses of the experimental rVSV-ZEBOV vaccine have been shipped into the country and the first community clinical corridors have been set up. Distribution of personal protective equipment for health workers is ongoing.
Africa CDC announced that contact tracing protocols are being launched with neighbouring Rwanda and Uganda, while the Republic of the Congo has begun temperature screening at border crossings. WHO officials stress that at least four weeks of coordinated response are needed to bring the outbreak under control.
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