Ebola Deaths in DR Congo Near 500

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has reported 1,528 confirmed cases of Ebola, including 492 deaths, as the latest outbreak in the country continues to spread. According to a situation report released on Saturday by DRC health authorities, a total of 239 patients have recovered, while 628 confirmed patients are currently in isolation or receiving treatment in hospitals. Local authorities have also identified 185 suspected cases. The report noted that weekly confirmed cases continue to rise, with epidemiological weeks 25 and 26 recording the highest levels so far, each surpassing 300 cases. This indicates that community transmission is ongoing. The report also listed several key challenges, including community resistance to postmortem sampling, inadequate capacity at Ebola treatment centres, particularly in the eastern province of North Kivu, suboptimal contact tracing, delays in laboratory diagnosis, shortages of medical supplies and infection prevention materials, as well as insecurity and limited access in some affected areas. The World Health Organization (WHO) said on Thursday that a clinical trial has begun recruiting patients in the DRC to evaluate potential treatments for Ebola caused by the Bundibugyo virus, for which there is currently no approved vaccine or specific treatment.