DR Congo Ebola Death Toll Rises to 600 as WHO Intensifies Response
The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has claimed 600 lives, according to the latest figures released by the World Health Organization (WHO), marking a sharp increase just three days after the death toll surpassed 500.
The UN health agency said on Thursday that the country has recorded 1,759 confirmed Ebola cases since the outbreak was declared in mid-May, including 600 confirmed deaths.
In neighbouring Uganda, the WHO reported that 20 confirmed cases have been recorded, with 17 patients recovering while two deaths have been confirmed.
According to the WHO, data provided by Congolese health authorities indicate that the outbreak in the DRC currently has a case fatality rate of 34 per cent.
The agency added that 285 patients have recovered, while 304 suspected cases of the viral haemorrhagic disease remain under investigation.
The outbreak, which is concentrated in the country’s northeastern region, has affected four provinces, with Ituri Province emerging as the epicentre of the health emergency.
Health experts said the outbreak is being driven by the rare Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus, for which there are currently no approved vaccines or specific treatments.
In response, clinical trials of two experimental treatment options commenced in the DRC on July 2.
The trials are evaluating the effectiveness of the monoclonal antibody MBP134 and the antiviral drug remdesivir, both as standalone treatments and in combination.
The WHO noted that Ebola spreads through close contact with infected individuals or exposure to contaminated bodily fluids, making early detection, isolation and contact tracing critical to containing the outbreak.
The DRC declared its 17th Ebola outbreak on May 15 following a series of deaths in the mineral-rich Ituri Province, a region that has long been affected by the activities of armed groups, posing additional challenges to disease surveillance and response efforts.