Ebola outbreak in Congo and Uganda passes 200 deaths, cases up 38% in a week
7 reported2 unconfirmed
The Ebola outbreak in Congo and Uganda has claimed 204 deaths with 894 confirmed cases, Africa’s Centres for Disease Control and Prevention reported Thursday. The number of cases has increased 38% since last week and is now in 32 health zones across eastern Congo. The outbreak is caused by the rare Bundibugyo virus, which has no approved vaccines or treatments. The outbreak is concentrated in Congo’s Ituri province, which accounts for more than 90% of cases, and has spread to Uganda where 19 confirmed cases and two deaths have been reported. Contact tracing remains difficult due to remoteness and ongoing insecurity in Ituri, with only around 4,000 of an estimated 17,000 to 35,000 contacts tracked. Of over $900 million pledged to fight the outbreak, only $90 million has been released, and Africa CDC reports it has only 84 of the 540 personnel it estimates are needed.
What’s reported
The Ebola outbreak has claimed 204 deaths with 894 confirmed cases, according to Africa CDC.
Cases increased 38% in the past week and are now in 32 health zones across eastern Congo.
The outbreak is caused by the rare Bundibugyo virus, which has no approved vaccines or treatments.
Ituri province accounts for more than 90% of cases; 19 confirmed cases and two deaths have been reported in Uganda.
Only around 4,000 of an estimated 17,000 to 35,000 contacts have been tracked.
Of over $900 million pledged, only $90 million has been released to fight the outbreak.
Africa CDC has 84 of the 540 personnel it estimates are needed.
Open questions
The exact number of cases before the outbreak was confirmed on May 15.
When the additional pledged funds will be released.
Key figures
Dr. Wessam Mankoula, medical epidemiologist at Africa CDC.
Sources: abcnews.com
