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DR Congo Ebola Outbreak Expands to 61 Health Zones
(MENAFN) Ebola has now spread to 61 health zones across six provinces in the Democratic Republic of Congo after the virus reached the Kayna Health Zone in North Kivu province, the World Health Organization's Africa regional office disclosed in a situation report issued late Tuesday.
The outbreak, which began in mid-May, has produced at least 6,686 confirmed cases and claimed 3,226 lives, according to the report.
Health officials said the outbreak's underlying pattern — driven by the Bundibugyo virus strain — is growing more complex, with transmission trends now diverging sharply between different provinces and health zones.
"The trends reinforce an increasingly heterogeneous epidemic, with declining transmission in some areas occurring alongside intensification and continued geographic spread elsewhere," the report said.
The six affected provinces are Haut-Uele, Ituri, North Kivu, South Kivu, Bas-Uele and Tshopo. Ituri remains the epicenter of the crisis, while North Kivu and Haut-Uele continue to see significant transmission, even as the virus pushes into new territory.
Of particular concern to the WHO, deaths occurring within communities — rather than in treatment facilities — now account for a growing share of the toll. Between Aug. 31 and Sept. 6, community deaths made up 75% of confirmed fatalities, a sharp rise from 56.6% just two weeks prior.
The report attributed the persistently high rate of community deaths to a combination of factors: delays in detecting and reporting cases, slow transfers to treatment centers, poor recognition of symptoms, geographic and transportation obstacles, and gaps in community trust.
"This divergence is concerning, as the increase in community deaths alongside the continued decline in treatment facilities deaths indicates that the earlier reduction in overall mortality has not been sustained," the report said.
In response, the Congolese government and its health partners last week rolled out a revised 180-day response plan carrying a $1.3 billion price tag, designed to intensify and better coordinate efforts to cut off the virus's chains of transmission. The plan calls for a major expansion of epidemiological surveillance, contact tracing, community outreach, risk communication and logistical support, alongside preparedness measures for provinces at risk of future spread.
The outbreak, which began in mid-May, has produced at least 6,686 confirmed cases and claimed 3,226 lives, according to the report.
Health officials said the outbreak's underlying pattern — driven by the Bundibugyo virus strain — is growing more complex, with transmission trends now diverging sharply between different provinces and health zones.
"The trends reinforce an increasingly heterogeneous epidemic, with declining transmission in some areas occurring alongside intensification and continued geographic spread elsewhere," the report said.
The six affected provinces are Haut-Uele, Ituri, North Kivu, South Kivu, Bas-Uele and Tshopo. Ituri remains the epicenter of the crisis, while North Kivu and Haut-Uele continue to see significant transmission, even as the virus pushes into new territory.
Of particular concern to the WHO, deaths occurring within communities — rather than in treatment facilities — now account for a growing share of the toll. Between Aug. 31 and Sept. 6, community deaths made up 75% of confirmed fatalities, a sharp rise from 56.6% just two weeks prior.
The report attributed the persistently high rate of community deaths to a combination of factors: delays in detecting and reporting cases, slow transfers to treatment centers, poor recognition of symptoms, geographic and transportation obstacles, and gaps in community trust.
"This divergence is concerning, as the increase in community deaths alongside the continued decline in treatment facilities deaths indicates that the earlier reduction in overall mortality has not been sustained," the report said.
In response, the Congolese government and its health partners last week rolled out a revised 180-day response plan carrying a $1.3 billion price tag, designed to intensify and better coordinate efforts to cut off the virus's chains of transmission. The plan calls for a major expansion of epidemiological surveillance, contact tracing, community outreach, risk communication and logistical support, alongside preparedness measures for provinces at risk of future spread.
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