Ebola Death Toll in Congo Rises to 1,700 as Outbreak Spreads Rapidly

Kinshasa: At least 1,700 people have died in an Ebola outbreak in eastern Congo, authorities said, warning that the disease is spreading rapidly.

As of August 4, a total of 3,802 cases and 1,707 deaths had been reported. The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) said the outbreak had reached its peak.

Africa CDC Director-General Dr Jean Kaseya said nearly 80% of new cases were not being identified through contact-tracing lists, indicating widespread community transmission.

The Ebola outbreak began in Congo on May 15. The current outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo virus strain, for which no approved vaccine or treatment is available.

Africa CDC said response efforts had been affected by delays in identifying contacts, difficulties in accessing conflict-affected areas, public mistrust, attacks by armed groups and security challenges. Displacement caused by the conflict and illegal mining activities has also made it difficult to trace people who may have come into contact with infected individuals.

Nearly 90% of the cases have been reported in Ituri, a remote province in eastern Congo. Cases have also been confirmed in five other provinces, including Kisangani, one of the country’s largest cities.

Neighbouring Uganda had also reported cases. However, authorities declared the country Ebola-free after the last patient was discharged from hospital in mid-June.

The outbreak response has also been affected by strikes by unpaid healthcare workers. Health workers in Mungbwalu began a strike on Monday over unpaid salaries. Healthcare workers in Bunia had earlier stopped work, citing delayed wages and dangerous working conditions.

The World Health Organization said that more than 100 healthcare workers had contracted Ebola since the outbreak began.

Authorities said the disease was spreading faster and causing more deaths than during previous outbreaks. Between 2014 and 2016, more than 28,000 Ebola cases and 11,000 deaths were reported. During that outbreak, 1,000 deaths were recorded within eight months of its emergence.