Ebola Outbreak Intensifies in DRC as Cases Rise to 4,665

The Bundibugyo virus disease outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has entered intense transmission, with cases spreading rapidly across six provinces.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) said this in a statement on Saturday, adding that as of Wednesday, DRC reported 4,665 confirmed cases and 2,184 deaths, representing a case fatality ratio of 46.8 per cent.

The statement said that the outbreak, now the largest Ebola outbreak reported in the country, has expanded from Mongbwalu health zone to 54 health zones across six provinces.

“Initially confined to Mongbwalu health zone in Ituri Province, the outbreak has expanded to 54 health zones across six provinces.

“The affected provinces are Ituri, North Kivu, South Kivu, Haut-Uélé, Tshopo and Bas-Uélé, demonstrating the widening geographic spread.

“Bas-Uélé recently recorded its first confirmed case in Buta health zone, involving a person who travelled from Haut-Uélé,” it said.

According to the statement, the outbreak recorded its highest weekly figures during epidemiological week 32, with 579 cases and 304 deaths reported.