Ebola victims in DR Congo likely higher than official reports

Kinshasa (ANTARA) - The number of victims in the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is likely higher than officially reported figures due to gaps in surveillance and case detection.

This warning was issued by the international medical charity Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) on Thursday (1/10), as worsening insecurity continues to disrupt efforts to contain the epidemic.

Since the outbreak began, more than 8,000 confirmed cases and approximately 4,000 deaths have been reported, MSF stated in a statement.

MSF described the situation as the largest and deadliest Ebola outbreak ever recorded in the DRC.

MSF also confirmed that one of its staff members involved in the Ebola response has tested positive for the Bundibugyo virus and is being medically evacuated to the Netherlands in accordance with strict medical protocols.

“Healthcare workers are among those most at risk,” said MSF.

Meanwhile, the United Nations has warned that increasing violence in eastern DRC is further hindering the Ebola response, following the destruction of a major transit centre for suspected infected patients by fire at the Kigonze refugee camp in Ituri Province.

The outbreak, which was announced in May, is now the second-largest Ebola outbreak in the world after the West African epidemic of 2014-2016.