Eleven new Ebola virus cases have been added to the outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) in the past week, pushing the case total to 57, including 35 deaths, for a death rate of 61.4%, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported yesterday.
First declared on September 4, the outbreak is still confined to the Bulape Health Zone in Kasai Province. Of the 57 cases, 47 were confirmed, and 10 were probable; of the 35 deaths, 25 were confirmed, and 10 were probable. Five of the confirmed cases were diagnosed in healthcare workers.
Ebola, which spreads through infected blood and other body fluids, typically causes fever and weakness, followed by diarrhea and vomiting.
Children account for 23% of all infections
Infected patients range in age from 0 to 65 years, with those 0 to 9 years making up 23% of all cases. While females account for most cases (61%), their death rate is lower than that of males (56% vs 73%).
No international traffic-related measures are currently warranted.
“The outbreak shows a decreasing trend of cases in the recent week, nevertheless the attention remains high, and response activities are ongoing in all affected health areas including early case detection, isolation, case management, contact tracing, vaccination as well as risk communication and community engagement,” the WHO wrote.
As of September 21, investigators have identified 1,180 contacts for follow-up. Of all contacts, 94 completed 21 days of monitoring, while the rest are still being tracked. Of 26 patients admitted to the Ebola Treatment Centre since the outbreak began, 2 recovered and were released on September 16, 5 died, and 19 are still being treated.
In total, 1,740 people have been vaccinated against Ebola in the Bulape, Bulambae, and Mweka Health Zones in the 9 days since the campaign began.
“No international traffic-related measures are currently warranted,” the statement said. Health authorities are reinforcing surveillance at border crossings through activities such as health screening, risk communication, and the integration of border communities in affected areas into early warning systems and the national surveillance network, it added.