Ebola spread slows in Southern DRC, no new cases reported in 10 days
If no new cases are reported, DR Congo will commence a 42-day countdown to declare the end of the outbreak, once the remaining patients are discharged.
The Ebola outbreak in the southern DR Congo appears to be under control, with no new infections reported for 10 consecutive days, the World Health Organisation (WHO) revealed in its latest situation report.
According to the WHO, the last reported infections were on September 26 in the Bulape and Dikolo health areas of Kasai Province. Other affected areas have not recorded new cases for up to three weeks, suggesting that transmission in the area may be under control.
"Other previously affected areas have not reported new cases for more than one to three weeks. These include Ingongo (24 days), Bulape Communautaire (17 days), Bambalaie (16 days), and Mpianga (13 days)," the situation report reads.
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Since the outbreak was declared on September 4, DR Congo's health ministry has reported 64 cases, including 53 confirmed and 11 probable infections.
43 people have died, with most of the cases and deaths concentrated in Bulape and Dikolo, which together account for more than three-quarters of all infections.
"There have been five cases among health workers (four nurses and one laboratory technician), three of whom have died," WHO said.
"The epicentres of the outbreak have been in Dikolo (26 cases, 15 deaths) and Bulape (24 cases, 20 deaths) Health Areas, which together account for 78.1% of the total cases reported and 81.4% of all deaths."
Health teams are currently monitoring 1,985 individuals who had contact with confirmed or probable Ebola cases, with more than 98 per cent reached for daily follow-up.
"Over the past week, six patients have been treated and discharged from the Ebola Treatment Centre (ETC), bringing the total number of recoveries to 15 since the onset of the outbreak. Six confirmed cases remain hospitalised and are receiving clinical care," said WHO.
According to the global health body, if no new cases are reported, DR Congo will commence a 42-day countdown to declare the end of the outbreak, once the remaining patients are discharged.
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