Health Ministry in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) confirmed on Monday that at least 930 people have died in Ebola outbreak, with 37 new deaths recorded in a 24-hour span Friday into Saturday, one of the highest totals.
The deaths were recorded out of the 2,344 cases confirmed as of Saturday, the health ministry said.
The Ebola outbreak was declared in eastern Congo on May 15 and it is the fastest-growing Ebola outbreak on record. The Bundibugyo virus responsible for the outbreak is less common than others that cause Ebola disease, and there is no approved vaccine or treatment.
Ebola is highly contagious and can be transmitted to people from wild animals. It spreads in the human population through contact with bodily fluids such as vomit, blood or semen, and with contaminated surfaces and materials such as bedding and clothing. The disease is rare but severe and often fatal.
The surge in deaths comes as safety fears have restricted the response in the worst-affected province of Ituri. A total of five provinces: (Ituri, North Kivu, South Kivu, Haut-Uélé and Tshopo) have been affected, all in the eastern region where rebel violence is rampant.
Authorities said 722 patients remained in hospital or in isolation, while 412 people had recovered. The outbreak’s case fatality rate stands at 39.6%, with an overall contact-tracing rate of 66.9%.
Ituri remains the epicentre, reporting 44 new confirmed cases and 20 new recoveries as response teams continue large-scale surveillance and treatment operations.
In North Kivu, officials detected eight new infections, while contact tracing reached 87%. Haut-Uélé reported four new confirmed cases as surveillance expanded.
South Kivu has gone 51 days without a new confirmed case in its only affected health zone, Miti-Murhesa, while Tshopo reported no newly affected health zones, suggesting transmission there remains contained.
At least 36 health workers infected with the virus have died.
The World Health Organization last week expressed concerns that 80% of new Ebola cases were emerging from unknown chains of transmission, a sign the outbreak is spreading faster than health officials can track despite an expanding response.
Congo’s Health Ministry said in its latest update that 724 patients are currently in isolation and in hospitals, and that it is intensifying response efforts in affected health zones.
“Patient care and support capacities are consolidating, with 22 new recoveries recorded in 24 hours,” the ministry said.
