The Democratic Republic of Congo has recorded 7,614 confirmed cases of Ebola since the outbreak began, according to the National Institute of Public Health (INSP). The cases were reported up to the 38th epidemiological week. The INSP report also stated that 3,676 deaths have been confirmed among the cases, with 1,864 recoveries. The overall fatality rate stands at 48.3%, while the contact tracing rate is at 87.8%.
Seven provinces and 62 health zones are currently affected by the Ebola outbreak, including Ituri, North Kivu, South Kivu, Haut-Uele, Bas-Uele, Tshopo, and Sud-Ubangi. The INSP report highlighted that the goal is to strengthen support for the provinces to ensure the availability of necessary devices for a rapid response in case of new cases. The provinces are also working on developing and implementing their provincial preparedness and response plans.
The epidemiological trend on the ground remains mixed, according to the INSP. In Ituri, a decline in cases has been observed, while North Kivu is still experiencing an upward trend. The teams are continuing their interventions and strengthening their support to provincial teams to reverse this trend. A coordination meeting was held in Kinshasa on Monday, chaired by INSP Director-General Dr. Mwamba Kazadi Dieudonne.
The meeting emphasized the need to maintain equitable mobilization across all affected provinces. No province should be left behind, and each affected area should receive the necessary attention and support for the response. The meeting also allowed for the consolidation of monitoring of other major epidemic threats, including cholera, measles, and Mpox, within a multisectoral approach.
The INSP report also stated that 909 patients are currently in isolation or hospitalized. The institute is working to ensure that the necessary resources are available to respond to the outbreak. The DRC has been battling the Ebola outbreak for some time, and the situation remains a concern for public health.
The coordination meeting was attended by various stakeholders, including provincial health officials and representatives from international organizations. The participants discussed the current situation and strategies for controlling the outbreak. They also reviewed the progress made so far and identified areas for improvement.
The DRC government, with the support of international partners, is working to strengthen its response to the Ebola outbreak. The goal is to bring the outbreak under control and prevent further spread of the disease. The situation remains under close monitoring, and the government is urging the public to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions to prevent the spread of the disease.
Key points
- Over 7,600 Ebola cases confirmed in DRC since outbreak began
- Seven provinces and 62 health zones currently affected
- DRC government working to strengthen response to outbreak
