Kinshasa: The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has claimed 2,325 lives, marking the highest death toll from the disease ever documented in the nation, as reported by the World Health Organization on Tuesday. This unprecedented outbreak, which is linked to the Bundibugyo strain, has exceeded the death toll of the 2018-2020 epidemic by 26, according to data provided by the government.
According to Anadolu Agency, the number of confirmed Ebola cases has surpassed 5,000, with a fatality rate reaching 46%. WHO Incident Manager Thierno Balde communicated these figures to reporters in Geneva via a video link from Bunia, the epicenter of the outbreak. The virus has also been identified in Bas-Uele, expanding the list of affected provinces to six.
Balde described the situation as challenging, noting that local response teams are tirelessly working to contain the outbreak. However, these teams face significant resistance from local communities on an almost daily basis, evidenced by an attack on an ambulance involved in the response efforts on Monday.
He emphasized the importance of expanding safe and dignified burial practices. This involves training and equipping individuals who already conduct burials in villages with necessary materials such as chlorine and gloves. Balde mentioned that the situation had stabilized in areas like Lita and Nizi, where response teams had previously been overwhelmed by community deaths.
In these localities, the number of new cases and deaths has significantly decreased, and those who have died are now being buried safely and with dignity. The Democratic Republic of Congo declared the Ebola Bundibugyo outbreak on May 15, and currently, there is no vaccine or approved treatment for this specific strain.
The outbreak has already been classified as a public health emergency of international concern. The International Health Regulations Emergency Committee was scheduled to convene on Tuesday to evaluate the current risk level and provide recommendations to affected countries.