DR Congo Ebola outbreak hits record 8,000 cases

The Democratic Republic of Congo's public health institute on Monday released a situation report putting confirmed Bundibugyo-strain Ebola cases at 8,067 and deaths at 3,901 as of September 26. The outbreak, announced May 15, has no known treatment or vaccine, spans 63 health zones in seven provinces, and carries a case fatality rate above 48 percent. It is now the largest and deadliest in DRC history, surpassing the 2018-2020 epidemic, and ranks second globally behind the 2014-2016 West Africa outbreak of more than 28,600 cases and 11,000 deaths. By week 19 the current outbreak had recorded 7,840 cases versus 3,781 at the same point in that earlier epidemic. Children under 5 face a fatality rate above 60 percent compared with about 40 percent for adults. WHO stated last week that Congo was running out of health workers. Africa CDC reported 50 health workers have died since the outbreak began; workers have struck over delayed or missing pay. WHO said: "The continuously high crude case fatality ratio, and especially the continuously high rate of deaths occurring in communities, highlights the seriousness of the disease and the persistent challenges in timely case detection and access to early and adequate patient care." Africa CDC announced $2.9 billion mobilized Thursday following a G20+ meeting Wednesday in New York. Director Jean Kaseya urged that pledges be traced from commitment to services reaching communities. Prime Minister Judith Suminwa called the outbreak a major test and an absolute priority.