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Ebola outbreak in DR Congo records 1,274 cases and 360 deaths, becoming Africa's fastest-spreading
Declared on May 15, the Ebola outbreak has recorded 1,274 cases and 360 deaths in its first month, making it the fastest-spreading outbreak in Africa. WHO and Africa CDC warned of 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 Congo (DR Congo) is the outbreak with the most cases seen in a month on the African continent.
According to WHO data, this outbreak caused by the Bundibugyo strain of the 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 in the country, while 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 indicates that the outbreak has not yet been brought under control.
WHO stated that the acceleration of the spread is due to late detection of initial cases, failure to seek medical help in time, security issues, and misconceptions about the disease in some areas. WHO also stated that the activities of armed groups are complicating the work of health teams.
Risk may spread to 10 countries
WHO and the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) warned against the risk of the infection crossing DR Congo's borders, stating 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 to at least 10 regional countries due to intense cross-border population movement, and called for increased sanitary controls at borders, expansion of laboratory capacity, and strengthening of surveillance systems.
Lack of vaccine and treatment
So far, there is no approved vaccine or specific treatment for the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus. Experts emphasize that early diagnosis and supportive care are the most effective ways to increase the survival rate.
History and effects 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 between 2014 and 2016, infecting more than 28,000 people and killing more than 11,000. In DR Congo, the outbreak recorded between 2018 and 2020 had 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 percent 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 is not a concern.
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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