Death toll from Ebola outbreak reaches 2,238 in Eastern DR Congo
Kigali, Rwanda (PANA) - The death toll from the ongoing Ebola virus outbreak in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has climbed to 2,238 , according to the latest figure released on Friday by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
The UN agency said that nine new confirmed cases were reported from 15 to 21 January from Beni Health Zone in North Kivu Province.
Eight of the cases were registered contacts prior to symptom onset; all nine had epidemiological links to a confirmed case, it said.
In recent weeks, contacts of confirmed cases have been offered the option of staying in supportive accommodation allocated for identified EVD contacts where they are provided with food and other essential goods.
According to health experts, the number of confirmed cases reported each week has remained stable over the past six weeks, with approximately 14 new EVD cases reported weekly.
In addition, improved surveillance indicators such as the proportion of cases listed as contacts and followed prior to detection, and the decreased time to isolation of cases are encouraging signs, the report said.
As of 21 January, a total of 3,416 Ebola cases were reported, including 3,297 confirmed and 119 probable cases, of which 2,238 cases died.
-0- PANA TWA/AR 24Jan2020
