DRC Ebola outbreak raises regional health concerns
Credit: UN News
The Democratic Republic of Congo is battling its largest-ever Ebola outbreak, with thousands of confirmed cases and deaths reported since the outbreak was declared in May.
As of Sept. 8, the DRC had recorded 6,843 confirmed cases and 3,310 confirmed deaths, according to International Medical Corps. The Bundibugyo strain has spread across six provinces, with Ituri remaining the epicenter.
The outbreak also reached Uganda, which reported 20 confirmed cases and two deaths before declaring the outbreak over on July 16 after the last patient was discharged.
South Sudan has reported no confirmed Ebola cases, but health authorities remain concerned about the risk of cross-border transmission because of movement between South Sudan and the DRC.
International Medical Corps is supporting Ebola response and preparedness efforts across the three countries, including case management, screening, infection prevention and control, surveillance, community engagement and health worker training.
In South Sudan, the organization is working with the Ministry of Health, National Public Health Institute and other partners to strengthen preparedness. Infectious disease units in Juba and Nimule have been expanded to 24 beds each, while health workers in Yambio and Maridi have received Ebola case-management and infection-control training.
International Medical Corps said its supported facilities in the DRC have conducted more than 626,000 Ebola screenings and treated 1,911 patients, including 521 confirmed cases.
The organization said it will continue strengthening surveillance, contact tracing, infection prevention, cross-border coordination and community awareness to help South Sudan detect and contain any imported cases quickly.
