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Ebola hemorrhagic fever

Ebola Outbreak in Democratic Republic of Congo: World Health Organisation Reports 48 Confirmed Cases and 31 Deaths

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

The World Health Organisation has reported 48 confirmed cases of Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo, with 31 deaths, as the country's first outbreak in three years continues. The outbreak was declared in early September, and the WHO has been working to contain the spread of the virus, which has a high mortality rate and can linger in the body of survivors to resurface years later. The WHO has delivered essential medical supplies and set up an Ebola treatment centre, with over 900 contacts being followed up. Despite the risk of spread, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has stated that the risk to the US is considered low at this time.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Democratic Republic of Congo has reported 48 confirmed cases of Ebola, with 31 deaths, since the outbreak was declared in early September.
  • The World Health Organisation has deployed experts, set up an Ebola treatment centre with 16 patients, and delivered essential medical supplies, including over 14 tonnes of materials.
  • Over 900 contacts have been listed and are being followed up by the WHO.
  • The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued a health advisory to public health departments and healthcare workers, stating that the risk of spread to the US is considered low at this time.
  • The first two patients to recover from the outbreak were discharged on Tuesday.
  • The WHO has vaccinated frontline health workers and contacts of people infected with Ebola virus in Congo's Kasai Province.
  • An initial 400 doses of the Ervebo Ebola vaccine have been delivered to Bulape, the epicentre of the outbreak.
  • Congo's dense tropical forests are a natural reservoir for the Ebola virus.

Statistics:

  • 48 confirmed cases of Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo
  • 31 deaths due to the Ebola outbreak
  • 400 doses of the Ervebo Ebola vaccine delivered to Bulape
  • 900 contacts listed and being followed up by the WHO
  • 14 tonnes of essential medical supplies delivered by the WHO
  • 16 patients being treated at the Ebola treatment centre

Sources:

  • "It has been two weeks since the government of the DRC declared an Ebola outbreak", World Health Organisation chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told reporters via video link from the WHO headquarters in Geneva (Source: WHO)
  • The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stated that "currently, no suspected, probable, or confirmed cases related to the outbreak have been reported in the United States or outside Congo" (Source: CDC)
  • "More than 900 contacts have been listed and are being followed up" (Source: WHO)
  • "The risk of spread to the United States is considered low at this time" (Source: CDC)

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