Nearly 300 Ebola patients unaccounted for in DR Congo, says Africa CDC
9 reported3 unconfirmed
The whereabouts of almost 300 people who have tested positive for Ebola in the Democratic Republic of the Congo are unknown, according to Africa’s top public health official. Dr Jean Kaseya, director general of the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said the humanitarian crisis amid conflict means more than 1 million people are living in camps to which health workers have no access. Projections from the World Health Organization’s Africa regional office, published in the Lancet Infectious Diseases journal, predict about 8,210 cases and 1,420 deaths by mid-September, with a 70% chance of spread to South Sudan. There have been 1,118 confirmed cases and 291 deaths in the DRC, plus 20 cases and two deaths in Uganda. France announced that a doctor who had worked in the DRC tested positive on his return, and his employer, medical NGO Alima, is investigating how contamination may have occurred. Kaseya noted that 30% of new cases are among known contacts, indicating “huge, huge community transmission,” and bed occupancy in treatment centres is at 95%. The first trial of drugs for the Bundibugyo virus is due to begin next week, with a trial of an antiviral for contacts starting a week later.
What’s reported
297 people who tested positive for Ebola in the DRC are unaccounted for, according to Africa CDC.
Over 1 million people are living in camps with no health worker access due to conflict.
WHO projections predict 8,210 cases and 1,420 deaths by mid-September, with a 70% chance of spread to South Sudan.
To date: 1,118 confirmed cases and 291 deaths in the DRC; 20 cases and two deaths in Uganda.
France reported a doctor returning from the DRC tested positive; NGO Alima is investigating.
30% of new cases are among known contacts, indicating high community transmission.
Bed occupancy in Ebola treatment centres is at 95%, and the peak has not been reached.
Only about 13% of $910m pledged by international governments has been supplied.
A drug trial for the Bundibugyo virus begins next week; an antiviral trial for contacts starts a week later.
Open questions
The exact locations and health status of the 297 unaccounted individuals.
How the French doctor contracted the virus.
Whether the outbreak will follow the low, central, or high transmissibility scenario.
Key figures
Dr Jean Kaseya, director general of the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC)
World Health Organization (WHO) Africa regional office
Medical NGO Alima
Sources: The Guardian
