WHO warns risk of Ebola remains high in eastern DR Congo
Kigali, Rwanda (PANA) - Although there have no new confirmed cases of Ebola virus disease (EVD) reported this week for the first time since the beginning of the response in North Kivu province in eastern DR Congo, the outbreak remains active and risk of additional cases emerging remains high, the World Health Organisation (WHO) warned on Friday.
Reports indicate that from 19 to 25 February, no new confirmed cases of Ebola virus disease (EVD) were reported in eastern DR Congo.
While the most recent case was reported in Beni Health Zone, North Kivu Province on 17 February, the outbreak remains active and risk of additional cases emerging remains high.
Even with strengthened surveillance operations, transmission of Ebola virus outside of groups currently under surveillance cannot be excluded, the UN agency said.
Ebola virus also persists in some survivors’ body fluids, with potential to infect others.
To mitigate a potential resurgence of the outbreak, it is critical to maintain response capacities to rapidly detect and respond to any new cases, and to prioritise survivor support and monitoring and the maintenance of cooperative relationships with the survivors’ associations, it said.
To maintain operations and prevent potential resurgence of the outbreak, WHO said it requires further funding.
Latest figures show that as of 25 February, a total of 3,444 Ebola cases were reported in eastern DR Congo, including 3,310 confirmed and 134 probable cases, of which 2,264 cases died.
-0- PANA TWA/MA 28Feb2020
