Ebola virus outbreak in the DRC reaches 3,000 cases

The Ebola virus outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has reached 3,000 cases and the World Health Organization (WHO) has called for the full force of all partners to respond and increase their presence in the field to stop the Ebola virus and to address one of the largest and most complex humanitarian crises in the world.

The outbreak was declared on 1 August 2018. As of 27 August 2019, there have been 2,997 cases of Ebola virus, with 1,998 deaths and 893 survivors. Most of the cases are in North Kivu province. The recent expansion of the outbreak into South Kivu has resulted in five cases, which includes two deaths.

More than 200,000 people have been vaccinated against the Ebola virus in the DRC, along with health and frontline workers in Uganda, South Sudan, Rwanda and Burundi. Two therapeutic treatments being used in the country as part of a clinical trial have shown to save nine of every ten lives if used at the right time. 

More than 89 million screenings within the country and at international borders have helped control the spread, by identifying and providing care to anyone with symptoms. When Ebola virus outbreaks occur, the risk to travellers is generally extremely low. Travellers returning from an Ebola virus outbreak area should seek rapid medical attention if flu-like symptoms, such as fever, headache, diarrhoea or general malaise, develop within 21 days after return, by contacting their GP by telephone or call NHS24 (Scotland) or NHS111 (England and Wales). 

For further information on viral haemorrhagic fever, consult the TRAVAX (for health professionals) and fitfortravel (for the general public) websites.

Source: WHO, 29 August 2019