Congo Ebola Outbreak Passes 10,000 Cases as Virus Spreads to Kenya and Nigeria

Congo Ebola Outbreak Passes 10,000 Cases as Virus Spreads to Kenya and Nigeria

The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has passed 10,000 confirmed cases, with the country's public health institute reporting 10,060 cases and 4,887 deaths as of October 25. The figures make it the largest and deadliest Ebola outbreak ever recorded in Congo, and the second-largest in the world after the 2014-2016 West Africa epidemic, which infected more than 28,600 people. Cases span 66 health zones in eight provinces, with Ituri the epicentre at 7,211 cases, followed by Nord Kivu with 2,309.

The outbreak is caused by the rare Bundibugyo species of the Ebola virus and was declared in mid-May. With deaths running at about 48.6% of confirmed cases, health workers face a severe challenge: there is no approved vaccine or specific treatment for Bundibugyo Ebola, so patients receive supportive care while teams trace contacts. Follow-up reached only 81.6% in reporting provinces, below the 95% target, and threats against response teams have disrupted work in at least one health zone.

Concern is growing about regional spread. Kenya has reported nine cases after a traveller from Congo died in Nairobi, and Nigeria reported its first case last week, a patient believed to have acquired the infection in Uganda who has since been flown to Switzerland. Uganda reported 20 cases in May and June but was declared Ebola-free in August. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control has now sent experts to Nigeria to help with surveillance and contact tracing as neighbours watch the outbreak closely.

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