The Ebola situation in southern DR Congo is showing positive signs as health authorities report a pause in new cases over the past 10 days.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) indicated that the last confirmed infections were registered on September 26 in Bulape and Dikolo health areas of Kasai Province, the regions hardest hit by the outbreak.
WHO noted that other previously affected communities have not reported any new cases for up to three weeks, suggesting that transmission may be under control.
“Other previously affected areas have not reported new cases for more than one to three weeks. These include Ingongo (24 days), Bulape Communautaire (17 days), Bambalaie (16 days), and Mpianga (13 days),” the agency stated.
Since the outbreak began on September 4, the DR Congo health ministry has recorded 64 cases, comprising 53 confirmed and 11 probable infections. The outbreak has claimed 43 lives, with Bulape and Dikolo responsible for the majority of infections and deaths, accounting for more than three-quarters of all cases.
WHO confirmed that five health workers, four nurses and one laboratory technician were among those infected, three of whom have died.
“The epicentres of the outbreak have been in Dikolo (26 cases, 15 deaths) and Bulape (24 cases, 20 deaths) Health Areas, which together account for 78.1% of the total cases reported and 81.4% of all deaths,” the report said.
Health teams are actively following up with 1,985 people who were in contact with confirmed or probable Ebola patients, with over 98 per cent monitored daily.
In the past week, six patients were treated and released from the Ebola Treatment Centre, raising total recoveries to 15. Six patients remain hospitalized, receiving ongoing clinical care.
According to WHO, if no new infections are reported in the coming days, DR Congo will begin the 42-day period required to officially declare the outbreak over, following the discharge of all remaining patients.