Ebola cases in DR Congo surpass 8,000 as containment efforts struggle

The number of confirmed Ebola cases in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has surpassed 8,000 as health authorities struggle to contain an outbreak caused by the Bundibugyo virus.

Health ministry data showed 8,067 confirmed cases and 3,901 deaths as of September 26 across 63 health zones in seven of the country’s 26 provinces. The reported fatality rate was more than 48%.

The World Health Organisation said the persistently high fatality rate, particularly the high number of deaths occurring in communities, underscored challenges in detecting cases promptly and providing early and adequate care.

The country is also running short of health workers, while delayed or missing payments have led to strikes during the outbreak. The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention said 50 health workers had died since the outbreak was announced on May 15.

Some areas, including Ituri province and Haut-Uele, have reported declines in confirmed cases. Officials said, however, that the disease was spreading in other areas and expanding its geographical reach.

According to Africa CDC data, the current outbreak has recorded more cases over a comparable period than the West Africa regional outbreak between 2014 and 2016. By week 19, that outbreak had recorded 3,781 cases, compared with 7,840 in the current outbreak.

The World Health Organisation said the current outbreak was on track to surpass the regional outbreak, which killed 11,000 people. Insecurity, displacement, health workers’ strikes and population movements have hampered containment efforts.