Weak Ebola contact tracing in DRC fingered as driver of soaring infections as cases cross 8,000
Health authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo report that Ebola cases have surpassed 8,000, with poor contact tracing and community deaths cited as primary drivers. The WHO has warned of an increased risk of cross-border transmission as the virus spreads to new provinces.
Why it matters
The high case fatality rate and geographic expansion of the outbreak pose a significant public health threat to the region.
Failings in contact tracing as well as persistent deaths outside treatment centres have been blamed for a recent surge in Ebola transmission in the Democratic Republic of Congo, health authorities said Monday, as the number of confirmed cases topped 8,000.Since the outbreak was declared in mid-May, the cumulative caseload stands at 8,067, including 3,901 deaths, the Health Ministry’s latest situation update showed.The case fatality rate stands at 48.4%.The latest epidemic has affected 63 health zones across seven provinces: Haut-Uele, Ituri, North Kivu, South Kivu, Bas-Uele, Tshopo and South-Ubangi.Climbing casesIturi remains the epicenter, accounting for 76.4% of cumulative cases since the outbreak began.The situation update indicated that…
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