DR Congo Ebola Outbreak Still Spreading as Cases Rise in North Kivu

The Democratic Republic of Congo’s Ebola outbreak continues to spread despite signs of improvement in some areas, with the World Health Organization warning that transmission remains high in parts of North Kivu province.

As of September 12, authorities had recorded 7,200 Ebola cases across seven provinces, including 3,475 deaths, according to Olivier le Polain, head of the WHO’s epidemiology and analytics response unit.

Le Polain said there had been progress in Ituri province, where the outbreak was first detected in May, with some areas, including the provincial capital Bunia, showing signs of improved control.

However, the situation remains concerning in Butembo, North Kivu, where the number of new infections and deaths has increased sharply.

The WHO official said weekly cases and deaths in North Kivu had doubled over the past two weeks. The province accounted for about 45 per cent of all new cases recorded in the most recent week.

The outbreak has now reached seven provinces after a case was confirmed in South Ubangi. Meanwhile, no new case has been reported in South Kivu since the end of May, according to the WHO.

Upper Uele also remains a major concern, with between 30 and 40 new Ebola cases being reported there each week. The WHO described the overall outbreak as still vast, despite slower transmission in some parts of Ituri.

The latest figures come after the Congolese government suggested at the weekend that the outbreak may have peaked in August. However, the WHO said current indicators do not yet show the level of improvement needed to conclude that the outbreak is under control.