Ebola cases rise to 134 as WHO warns of cross-border spread in DRC, Uganda

Health, Uncategorized

KINSHASA, DR Congo (NPA) — The World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned that the Bundibugyo virus disease outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda continues to spread, with rising infections and deaths reported across both countries.

WHO said that as of May 29, a total of 134 confirmed Ebola cases, including nine in Uganda, and 18 confirmed deaths had been recorded.

The agency also reported 906 suspected cases and 223 deaths among suspected cases in the DRC as of May 27.

According to WHO, the latest figures represent an increase of 49 confirmed cases, eight confirmed deaths, 160 suspected cases and 47 suspected deaths since its previous update on May 21.

The organisation said transmission remained concentrated in Ituri Province, as well as North Kivu and South Kivu provinces of the DRC, where insecurity, poor contact tracing, inadequate isolation facilities and challenges in patient referral systems were affecting response efforts.

WHO said health authorities in the affected countries, supported by partners, had deployed rapid response teams, strengthened surveillance, delivered medical supplies and improved laboratory confirmation efforts.

In the DRC, 125 confirmed cases and 17 deaths had been reported from 13 health zones across Ituri, North Kivu and South Kivu provinces.

The agency said 16 health and care workers were among those infected, adding that investigations were ongoing to properly classify suspected cases and deaths.

In Uganda, the WHO said nine confirmed cases, including one death, had been reported in Kampala and Wakiso.

It said 436 contacts linked to the Ugandan cases had been identified and were under monitoring, with exposure risks linked mainly to healthcare facilities and cross-border movements.

WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, visited the DRC on May 28 to support ongoing response efforts.

The agency said the outbreak risk remained very high at the national level in the DRC, high at the regional level, but low globally.

WHO, however, advised against imposing travel or trade restrictions on the DRC and Uganda, stressing the need for stronger surveillance, cross-border cooperation and coordinated public health measures.