The outbreak remains in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo with Ituri being the most affected province
The number of confirmed cases of Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) has reached 1,307, the country’s Ministry of Communications and Media reported on Tuesday.
According to figures published as of June 28, the outbreak has killed 377 people, putting the overall fatality rate at 28.8%. At the same time, 180 patients have recovered, while 615 people remain isolated or hospitalized.
The outbreak has also spread beyond the borders of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Uganda has reported 20 confirmed cases of Ebola, including two deaths, while 15 patients have recovered, according to the latest figures from Ugandan health authorities.
The disease continues to be witnessed in the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Ituri region remains the epicenter, with 23 affected health areas, while neighboring North Kivu is under high alert in 11 health areas. In South Kivu, officials have recorded three confirmed cases and one death, but say no new infections have been detected there since May 26, and intensive monitoring continues.
Health officials say contact tracing has reached 81.3% in the three affected regions.
The government has banned all public gatherings in the capital Kinshasa and the provinces of Tshopo, Haut-Uele and Bas-Uele in an effort to prevent the spread of Ebola. The measure, announced by Interior Minister Jacquemain Shabani in an order sent to state governors on Saturday, suspends political meetings, public demonstrations and other large events that could bring large crowds together.
DR Congo is battling the 17th recorded Ebola outbreak, which was announced on May 15. It involves the Bundibugyo strain of the virus for which there is currently no approved vaccine or targeted treatment available.
Last week, France confirmed its first case of Ebola, involving a doctor who recently returned from a humanitarian mission in DR Congo. The patient is in good condition and has been admitted to a special isolation unit, according to the French Ministry of Health. Authorities have launched contact tracing, with Health Minister Stephanie Rist saying five passengers sitting next to a doctor on a flight to France have been identified and quarantined.
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