In the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo, authorities are now reporting 321 laboratory-confirmed cases, including 48 deaths.Image: keystone
The number of Ebola cases is increasing in eastern Congo and Uganda. Uganda’s Ministry of Health reported 6 new cases, bringing the total to 15 laboratory-confirmed infections of the life-threatening virus since the outbreak began in the neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo. So far, one of these sufferers has died.
In the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo, authorities are now reporting 321 laboratory-confirmed cases, including 48 deaths. There are currently 116 additional suspected cases in which patients reported with typical symptoms but have not yet been tested.
Until a few days ago, the number of suspected cases in eastern Congo was said to be almost 1,200. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the number fell because pending samples were tested. New suspected cases are not reported directly, but usually in groups. The number can suddenly go up again.
Probably a large number of unreported cases
It is not possible at this point to draw a conclusion from the reduced number that the outbreak is now better under control, said WHO spokesman Christian Lindmeier. On the contrary, a high number of suspected cases can be a good sign because it means that the detection of potential cases is working and people with symptoms are coming forward.
Since the outbreak in eastern Congo became known in mid-May, the WHO has assumed that the actual number of infections is significantly higher than that officially recorded because the outbreak in Ituri province on the border with Uganda and South Sudan went unnoticed for weeks and not all cases are reported.
Fewer suspected cases in Congo are not yet a good sign
Unlike the more common Zaire variant, there is no rapid test for the rare Bundibugyo type of Ebola virus that is responsible for the outbreak, nor is there a treatment or vaccine.
The virus is transmitted through physical contact and contact with body fluids. In 2014 and 2015, more than 11,000 people died in an Ebola epidemic in West Africa. Around 2,300 people died in the second worst recorded outbreak from 2018 to 2020 in eastern Congo. (sda/dpa)