The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has been worsening. Right now, the virus is more concentrated in Congo’s eastern province of Ituri, which accounts for more than 90% of the cases.
As cases reach 782, there have been 181 recorded deaths of the Bidibugyo strain of the Ebola virus, according to the Congolese Ministry of Health. NDTV reported that the number of cases in Congo is believed to be higher because the outbreak was confirmed on May 15th, weeks after it is suspected to have begun, and the contact tracing coverage rate is at 56%, a sharp decrease from last week.
Tracking and tracing have been much more difficult with the current circulating strain. The latest Ebola outbreak is caused by the rare Bundibugyo virus, which has no approved vaccine or treatment, unlike the “Zaire virus,” which was responsible for most of Congo’s past 16 outbreaks of the disease.
So far, 56 people have recovered, and the current fatality rate of the outbreak is 23%, the Ministry said. That’s much lower than most Ebola outbreaks, but more cases could be out there, as people still fear going to hospitals with symptoms.
“People Are Hiding” During Ebola Outbreak, Making Containment Difficult
A conflict in Ituri has displaced nearly a million people, making the tracking of the virus harder for health officials. According to the U.N. humanitarian office, contact tracing is difficult as people flee attacks or move frequently in the vast province with dense forests, poor roads, and remote villages that can take days to reach.
The US is also lending some help to the DR Congo.
Last month, U.S. officials said Washington intends to send Americans exposed to Ebola while abroad to a new facility in Kenya rather than flying them back home. They said the center would be located at Laikipia Air Base with a capacity of 50 quarantine beds. The move led to protests over the plans to build an Ebola quarantine center, which was later halted by the courts. – NDTV
Deaths and cases are still likely to rise, but officials at the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) say the risk in the US is low.
Vaccine candidates are also being “fast-tracked” for this virus, including a Moderna mRNA option.
Three New Vaccine Candidates For Ebola Are Being “Fast-Tracked”