Ebola outbreak expands to 63 health zones in DR Congo

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The Bundibugyo virus disease outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has expanded to 63 health zones across seven of the country’s 26 provinces.

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The World Health Organization, in a statement on Friday, said the expansion followed the identification of infections in two additional health zones.

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It also reported that 7,890 confirmed cases had so far been reported, including 3,799 deaths, with a crude case fatality ratio of 48.1 per cent.

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“The newly affected areas are Bulu health zone in Sud Ubangi province and Dungu health zone in Haut-Uélé province, which borders South Sudan.

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“The geographic expansion has increased the risk of cross-border transmission, particularly with the detection of cases in areas close to international borders,” it said.

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According to WHO, the number of new cases reported daily remains high nationally, although transmission levels vary considerably between provinces and individual health zones.

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It said the continued high case fatality ratio, coupled with persistent community deaths, underscores the severity of the outbreak and challenges in detecting cases early.

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WHO said delays in diagnosis and access to adequate treatment could contribute to preventable deaths while allowing transmission to continue within households, communities and healthcare facilities.

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“The outbreak currently affects Bas-Uélé, Haut-Uélé, Ituri, North Kivu, South Kivu, Sud Ubangi and Tshopo provinces, according to the latest situation update as of 23 September,” it said.

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(NAN)

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