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Ebola outbreak in DR Congo: 1,274 cases, 360 deaths, Africa's fastest-spreading
Declared on May 15, the Ebola outbreak has become the fastest-spreading outbreak in Africa with 1,274 cases and 360 deaths in its first month. WHO and Africa CDC highlighted the risk of the outbreak spreading to 10 neighboring countries.
Outbreak spreading rapidly
The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that the Ebola outbreak declared on May 15 in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo) is the outbreak with the highest number of cases in a month on the African continent.
According to WHO data, this outbreak caused by the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola virus is the 17th Ebola outbreak recorded in the country since 1976. According to the latest data from the DR Congo Ministry of Health, 1,274 confirmed cases have been detected, and the number of deaths has reached 360.
Control of outbreak becoming difficult
While the epicenter of the outbreak remains Ituri province, cases have also been seen in North Kivu and South Kivu provinces. Although health teams continue contact tracing, the emergence of new cases shows that the outbreak has not yet been brought under control.
WHO stated that the acceleration of the spread is influenced by late detection of initial cases, failure to seek medical help in time, security issues, and misconceptions about the disease in some areas. It was also stated that the activities of armed groups hinder the work of health teams.
Risk could spread to 10 countries
WHO and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) warned of the risk of the infection crossing DR Congo's borders. It was stated that Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, Central African Republic, Republic of Congo, Tanzania, Zambia, Angola, and Kenya are particularly under threat.
Africa CDC emphasized that the outbreak poses a risk for at least 10 regional countries due to intense cross-border population movements, and called for increased sanitary controls at borders, expanded laboratory capacity, and strengthened surveillance systems.
Lack of vaccine and treatment
So far, there is no approved vaccine or specific treatment for the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola virus. Experts emphasize that early diagnosis and supportive care are the most effective ways to increase survival rates.
History and impact of Ebola
The Ebola virus was first detected almost simultaneously in 1976 in what is now DR Congo and South Sudan. Since then, it has caused major outbreaks in Central and West African countries.
The largest outbreak occurred in West Africa in 2014-2016, infecting more than 28,000 people and killing more than 11,000. In DR Congo, the outbreak recorded in the 2018-2020 period resulted in 3,481 cases and 2,299 deaths.
WHO estimates the average fatality rate of Ebola at about 50 percent, but this rate can vary between 25 and 90 percent depending on the virus strain.
Transmission and symptoms
The virus is transmitted through direct contact with the body fluids of infected people, contaminated objects, or contact with wild animals. Airborne transmission does not occur.
The incubation period of the disease ranges from 2 to 21 days. Main symptoms include high fever, weakness, muscle pain, headache, and sore throat; in severe cases, vomiting, diarrhea, and internal bleeding occur.
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