WHO says Ebola outbreak in DR Congo records fastest growth ever

Geneva (ANTARA) - The World Health Organization (WHO) on Tuesday warned that the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is recording the fastest outbreak growth ever documented, with the majority of new infections now originating from unknown transmission chains.

Speaking to journalists after returning from the outbreak epicentre in Ituri Province, WHO Executive Director of the Health Emergencies Programme Chikwe Ihekweazu said that as of 11 July, nearly 2,000 confirmed cases and more than 700 deaths had been reported across five provinces. Those figures make the current outbreak the third largest in history.

“We have witnessed the fastest growth in a single month since this outbreak began and among all the Ebola outbreaks we have ever handled,” Ihekweazu said.

He added that in recent days, the number of daily infections has reached a record high, with more than 80 confirmed cases in a 24-hour period.

According to the WHO official, one of the most alarming findings is that many of the newly reported deaths occurred in the community, meaning the patients never entered a health facility or received medical care.

Although diagnostic capacity has improved and contact tracing rates are high, Ihekweazu cautioned that “80 per cent of new cases are outside our contact lists, so they are coming from unknown transmission chains.”

WHO epidemiological modelling suggests the true scale of the outbreak is likely two to four times larger than the reported figures.

The outbreak was officially declared two months ago. While up to 95 per cent of new cases still originate in Ituri, the virus has recently spread to two additional provinces, Haut-Uele and Tshopo.

To tackle the crisis, the WHO outlined a dual strategy of intensifying response efforts at the epicentre while mapping travel routes and identifying high-risk areas for potential new cases.

Urging the international community not to lose hope, Ihekweazu stressed that results are beginning to show. “Now is not the time to let our guard down,” he said.

Although no approved treatment exists for the Bundibugyo species of the virus, early supportive care can significantly improve survival rates. “We must identify cases early so we can provide care as soon as possible,” Ihekweazu said.