DR Congo Reports 956 Confirmed Ebola Cases, 247 Deaths

The number of confirmed Ebola cases in the Democratic Republic of Congo has risen to 956, including 247 deaths, according to the latest situation report released on Saturday by the country’s health authorities. On Friday, 23 new confirmed cases, including two deaths, were reported in Ituri and North Kivu provinces. Ituri remains the epicentre of the outbreak, with 874 confirmed cases and 201 deaths, accounting for more than 91 per cent of the total confirmed cases in the country. A total of 92 patients have recovered, whilst 361 patients are in isolation or receiving hospital treatment. The report also noted that 162 suspected cases were identified that day, whilst the contact tracing rate stood at 69.3 per cent, below the 95 per cent target set by health authorities. In a press conference on Friday evening local time, DR Congo Health Minister Roger Kamba said the outbreak is still in an escalation phase, with more confirmed cases expected to emerge as emergency response teams expand active case finding efforts and penetrate deeper into affected communities. Kamba added that authorities can only declare the outbreak has peaked, entered a stable period, or begun to decline once weekly figures stabilise or start to fall. For now, efforts to detect cases, isolate and treat patients, and strengthen community engagement must continue, he said. The outbreak, caused by the Bundibugyo Ebola virus, was announced by DR Congo authorities on 15 May.