The Democratic Republic of Congo’s Ebola outbreak has just spread to a new health zone. The outbreak has now made its way into the northeastern province of Ituri, authorities said on Wednesday.
A health zone in Congo’s healthcare system covers a defined area with a network of clinics and a referral hospital.
More than three weeks after the epidemic was declared, these new infections in a new area are “undermining” the ability to prevent the transmission of this Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus.
The health ministry said Tchomia, about 50 kilometers south of the provincial capital Bunia on the shores of Lake Albert, has become the latest affected health zone, bringing the total number of affected zones to 26 nationwide and 18 in Ituri province, which accounts for more than 94% of confirmed cases. –Reuters
The government said that the latest situation report confirmed 37 new cases, including 12 deaths. These were reported in the previous 24 hours, all in Ituri.
The outbreak has so far recorded 635 confirmed cases and 127 deaths across three eastern provinces.
This outbreak was declared on May 15th, and so far, there is no approved vaccine for the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola. Some vaccines are in the works, but it will take time for studies to confirm safety and efficacy.
Three New Vaccine Candidates For Ebola Are Being “Fast-Tracked”
First, we heard there’s new funding of up to US$62 million to fast-track the development of vaccine candidates against the type of virus circulating in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and neighboring Uganda.
As of June 2nd local time, DRC health authorities reported 344 confirmed cases, including 60 confirmed related deaths. Uganda has reported 15 confirmed cases, including one death. Previously, suspected cases in the region were more than 1,000. –Science Alert
It isn’t clear how effective or safe any of these vaccines could be. The COVID-19 vaccine has been shown to be effective in a lot of people. But humanity, apparently, hasn’t learned its lesson when it comes to quickly approving an injectable substance.