At a Glance

• Congo has confirmed 8,067 Ebola cases and 3,901 deaths.
• The outbreak has spread across 63 health zones in seven provinces.
• Health worker shortages and strikes are complicating containment efforts.
• Some areas have reported declining case numbers despite wider spread elsewhere.

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Congo’s confirmed Ebola cases have surpassed 8,000 as health authorities face shortages of health workers and other challenges in containing the outbreak.

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Key Statements and Focus Area

• WHO Warning: “The continuously high crude case fatality ratio ... highlights the seriousness of the disease.” — World Health Organization.
• Health Workforce: Health worker shortages, delayed payments, and strikes are disrupting the response, according to the WHO and Africa CDC.
• Focus Area: The outbreak continues to expand geographically despite improvements in some affected areas.

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Congo’s health ministry reported 8,067 confirmed cases and 3,901 deaths as of Sept. 26, covering 63 health zones across seven of the country’s 26 provinces. The reported fatality rate is above 48%. The outbreak was declared May 15 and is caused by the Bundibugyo virus, a strain of Ebola for which no known treatment or vaccine is available, according to the supplied report.

The World Health Organization said the high proportion of deaths occurring within communities points to continuing difficulties with early detection and access to timely and adequate care. The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said 50 health workers have died since the outbreak was announced. Health workers have also reported delayed or missing payments, leading to strikes during the response.

Case numbers have declined in some areas, including Ituri province and Haut-Uele. Officials, however, say the disease has continued to spread into other areas, increasing its geographical reach.

According to Africa CDC data, the current outbreak had recorded 7,840 cases by Week 19, compared with 3,781 cases during the same period of the 2014 to 2016 West Africa Ebola outbreak. That regional outbreak lasted two years and killed about 11,000 people.

FYI

Containment efforts have been complicated by insecurity, population displacement, movement between communities, and a shortage of health workers. Mining activity and population movements in affected areas have also presented additional challenges for disease surveillance and response.

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