WHO sees 'encouraging signs' in DR Congo Ebola response but says outbreak 'far from over'
The World Health Organization said Wednesday that the fight against the Ebola outbreak in DR Congo was showing “encouraging signs" but that the epidemic was "far from over". More than 7,000 cases have been reported across seven provinces as of September 11.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo's Ebola outbreak, which began in May, has reached its peak, according to health authorities. Samuel Roger Kamba, the Congolese health minister, stated that new cases are decreasing daily, with the number of infections slowing to about 80 per day, down from around 120 per day earlier. Health zones that have gone without new cases for 42 or 21 days have been removed from the list of affected areas.
The outbreak, primarily concentrated in Ituri province, has resulted in over 3,475 deaths and more than 7,200 confirmed cases. While the DRC has received more than 70,000 doses of the Ervebo vaccine, there is no effective treatment for the Bundibugyo variant of Ebola. Despite the progress, health officials warn against "triumphalism" and emphasize the need for intensified efforts to dispel public skepticism.
They urge transparency in data to strengthen confidence in the government's claims, pointing out indicators that should support the perception of the epidemic being under control.
Written by urgent.news from The Guardian's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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