DR Congo Ebola Outbreak Sees Record First-Month Caseload

The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo is setting a grim record, with the highest number of confirmed cases in its first month of any outbreak in Africa, a senior World Health Organization official announced Tuesday. As of Monday, more than 1,000 cases and 267 deaths have been confirmed from the current outbreak of the Bundibugyo ebolavirus.

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This is the largest number of confirmed cases in the first month of an Ebola disease outbreak in Africa.

Officials confirmed the outbreak on May 15, but experts believe it was circulating for weeks prior. The virus has now spread to at least three crowded displacement camps in eastern Congo, a region plagued by conflict. The International Organization for Migration reported 25 cases, including 14 deaths, in these camps.

"The response needs to expand to keep pace with the expanding outbreak, this is beginning to happen," said Abdirahman Mahamud, the WHO's director of health emergency alert and response operations, after visiting an outbreak epicenter. The WHO is working to expand the response efforts.

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The response needs to expand to keep pace with the expanding outbreak, this is beginning to happen.

Meanwhile, in Kenya, the Health Minister has ordered an immediate halt to the construction of a US-backed Ebola quarantine facility at an air base. The minister had been found in contempt of court for defying previous orders to suspend the project, which was intended to treat US nationals. The controversial plans had sparked protests, leading to three deaths.

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I have directed the immediate and complete cessation of any intended construction, site preparation, or related activities concerning the Laikipia Air Base facility pending the hearing and determination of the substantive petition or until further orders of this court.