©UNFPA/J. Yunus Health workers in North Kivu, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. WHO: death toll from Ebola in DR Congo exceeds 500 Healthcare
Ebola, caused by the Bundibugyo virus, continues to spread in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), while the actual extent of the outbreak remains unknown. The World Health Organization (WHO) warned about this on Tuesday.
“We would like to say that the situation is stabilizing, but frankly speaking, we cannot say this yet,” said the WHO representative in the DRC Ann Ansia.
Speaking via video link from the city of Bunia, the administrative center of Ituri province, which became the epicenter of the outbreak, she said that as of July 4, the country’s authorities had registered 1,561 confirmed cases, including 506 deaths. Another 254 people have recovered. More than 10 thousand people who were in contact with the sick are under observation.
The real scale of the outbreak is still unknown
According to the WHO representative, experts continue to establish chains of transmission of infection in order to promptly identify all those in contact with the virus and isolate them. At the same time, the medical system is under severe strain – Ebola treatment centers are overcrowded. population.
“I have seen first-hand the dedication of employees who continue to help their communities despite enormous difficulties,” she noted.
There are not enough ambulances
The outbreak was officially declared on May 15. It develops in areas where armed conflicts are ongoing, there is massive population displacement, and resources are extremely limited. situation, positive changes are also noted in the organization.
If at the beginning of the outbreak, laboratories in Kinshasa could carry out only 30 tests per day, but now, thanks to the opening 10 laboratories in affected regions, more than 2 thousand are performed daily analyzes.
Clinical trials of drugs began
Another important step was the start of clinical trials of potential treatments on July 2. There is currently no registered drug against Ebolavirus Bundibugyo species.
During the study, experts will evaluate the effectiveness of two promising drugs – the monoclonal antibody MBP134 and the antiviral drug remdesivir. As new scientific data emerge, other potential therapies may be included in the study.
Conflict complicates the fight against the virus
The security situation in eastern DRC remains extremely unstable. In the provinces of North Kivu, South Kivu and Ituri, clashes continue between government forces and armed groups. of them,” said Ansia.
Answering a question from journalists about the M23 group’s statements about the elimination of Ebola in the territory under its control, the WHO representative said that, according to available information, there are currently no confirmed cases of the disease in these areas, and all those in contact with the sick have completed the observation period. At the same time, experts continue to closely monitor the development of the situation.