The World Health Organization (WHO) says the Ebola response in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is gaining ground, but the epidemic remains serious, with more than 7,200 cases and over 3,500 deaths reported across seven provinces.
WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus, on Wednesday September 16, said during a virtual news conference that transmission was declining in the worst-affected areas of Ituri Province, while South Kivu had recorded no new cases since May. However, about 300 new cases and 160 deaths were reported in Ituri in the past week, while infections in North Kivu nearly doubled from about 100 to more than 200 weekly cases within two weeks.
Tedros attributed progress to the leadership of the DRC government and collaboration among WHO, Africa CDC, health workers and other partners. He said about 1,700 people had recovered, while trials of Ebola treatments and post-exposure prophylaxis were accelerating and vaccine trials were expected to begin soon, with preparations underway to expand access if the products prove effective.
The WHO chief warned that population movement, conflict-affected communities, mining areas, poor infrastructure and attacks on health workers and facilities were complicating the response and could facilitate further spread.
Tedros appealed for additional funding to sustain the Ebola response and wider humanitarian operations, noting that the outbreak was also placing pressure on food security, maternal health and treatment for other diseases.
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