The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, Africa CDC, says the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo remains “extremely serious” and continues to spread despite ongoing efforts to contain it.
Africa CDC Director-General, Dr Jean Kaseya, said the outbreak, declared on May 15, initially affected one province and two health zones. He said that by September 1, the disease had expanded to six provinces and 60 health zones, covering about 240,000 square kilometres — an area comparable to the United Kingdom and nearly five times the size of Switzerland.
According to Kaseya, 6,206 confirmed cases and 3,009 deaths have now been recorded. He said the figures demonstrated the continuing severity of the outbreak and the challenge facing health authorities across the affected areas.
“Despite the considerable efforts of the Government and partners, we are not yet where we need to be,” Kaseya said, stressing that the outbreak remains Africa CDC’s highest priority.
He said Africa CDC was working closely with the World Health Organisation and other partners to support the Congolese government and strengthen all aspects of the response. Kaseya added: “We will not relent until this outbreak is brought under control.”
The outbreak is being driven by the Bundibugyo species of Ebola virus, with health authorities continuing surveillance and response activities as transmission persists across the six affected provinces.
