WHO Reports 80% of New Ebola Cases From Unknown Transmission Chains
10 verified4 unconfirmed
The World Health Organization's emergencies chief on Tuesday said the Ebola outbreak in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo is outpacing response efforts, with the majority of new cases originating from unknown chains of transmission. Chikwe Ihekweazu, who returned from a visit to Bunia in Ituri province, reported that 80% of new cases fall outside contact lists and that many deaths have occurred in communities without victims reaching a health facility. The outbreak, declared on May 15, involves the rare Bundibugyo virus, for which there is no approved treatment or vaccine. As of Monday, Congolese authorities recorded at least 1,926 infections and 702 deaths across three provinces, with additional cases confirmed in neighboring Uganda. The response has been hindered by funding shortfalls, attacks on health centers, ongoing conflict, and community mistrust, Ihekweazu said. Despite recent improvements including expanded treatment capacity and labs, the official stated that efforts have not caught up with the outbreak's spread.
What’s verified
WHO emergencies chief Chikwe Ihekweazu said the Ebola outbreak in eastern Congo continues to outpace response efforts.
Ihekweazu reported that 80% of new cases are from unknown chains of transmission.
Many newly reported deaths occurred in communities without victims reaching a health facility.
As of Monday, at least 1,926 people had been infected and 702 had died from the rare Bundibugyo virus in three provinces of the Democratic Republic of Congo, with cases also confirmed in Uganda.
The outbreak, declared on May 15, has no approved treatment or vaccine.
Last week, the U.S. CDC reported that a U.S. citizen working for a humanitarian organization in Congo tested positive for Ebola.
The response has been hampered by a funding gap, attacks on health centers, ongoing conflict in eastern Congo, and community mistrust.
Dozens of workers at a treatment center went on strike Monday over unpaid salaries.
Clinical trials for treatment began last week.
Ihekweazu said treatment capacity in Bunia is close to 800 beds and lab capacity increased from one to 14 labs.
Not yet confirmed
The number of confirmed cases in Uganda is reported by one source as 20, but other sources do not give a specific figure.
One source reports that the WHO received less than half of the $115 million needed for the first six months of the response.
One source reports that the U.S. imposed travel restrictions requiring U.S. citizens in DRC to spend 21 days in a third country before returning, and banning non-citizens who recently visited DRC, Uganda, or South Sudan.
One source notes that the Bundibugyo strain was first discovered in Uganda.
Key figures
Chikwe Ihekweazu – World Health Organization emergencies chief (director of emergencies)
Sources: dw.com, abcnews.com, statnews.com
