Ebola outbreak in DRC, Uganda claims over 1,000 lives: WHO

The ongoing Ebola outbreak, declared in May, has resulted in over 1,000 fatalities across the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced. The outbreak has seen 2,473 confirmed cases and 999 deaths in the DRC, while Uganda has registered 20 cases with two deaths.

This marks the 17th Ebola outbreak in the DRC, primarily concentrated in the northeastern province of Ituri, an area affected by armed conflict. The WHO highlighted that controlling the outbreak through contact tracing requires substantial resources due to the region's poverty and ongoing violence. Compounding the spread, some families bury their deceased without protective measures.

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A single death can lead to up to 17 cases of transmission

"A single death can lead to up to 17 cases of transmission," stated Trish Newport, director of emergency programs for Doctors Without Borders (MSF) in Bunia, the provincial capital. Despite the grim reality, a semblance of normalcy persists in Bunia, though anxiety is palpable among residents. Heritier Bomengo, a motorbike taxi driver, shared his fear after witnessing three family members die within a week.

While Uganda reports no new cases in three weeks, primarily seeing cross-border cases from the DRC, the WHO chief warned last week that the outbreak is spreading faster than any previous one. Efforts are underway to combat the Bundibugyo strain, for which no approved vaccine or treatment currently exists. However, encouraging progress is being made with trials for two potential treatments and a vaccine.

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the outbreak has over the past month "expanded faster than any previous outbreak"