Geneva, Aug. 6 (SANA) Doctors Without Borders (MSF) warned on Wednesday that the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has entered its most dangerous phase yet, as official figures showed confirmed infections nearing 4,000 and the death toll surpassing 1,800.
The medical aid organization called for an urgent expansion of the international response, saying the virus continues to spread at an alarming pace despite ongoing efforts by health workers.
According to the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Health Ministry, 3,973 confirmed Ebola cases and 1,801 deaths linked to the Bundibugyo strain of the virus had been recorded, according to the latest daily epidemiological bulletin issued on Wednesday.
Health authorities said they continue to conduct disease surveillance, trace contacts and strengthen diagnostic and treatment services in affected areas as part of efforts to contain the outbreak.
MSF, citing World Health Organization (WHO) figures, said 3,605 confirmed cases had been reported as of Aug. 1, making the current epidemic the largest Ebola outbreak in the country’s history, surpassing the 2018 outbreak.
The organization said about 1,500 people had died within just 11 weeks of the outbreak being declared, a mortality rate significantly higher than during comparable periods of previous Ebola epidemics.
MSF said there were no signs that transmission was slowing, with new infections continuing to emerge almost daily, including in areas previously outside known chains of transmission.
Although testing and contact-tracing efforts have improved, they remain insufficient to bring the outbreak under control, the organization said, urging greater community engagement to ensure early detection and continuous monitoring of infections.
MSF also called for obstacles preventing medical teams and humanitarian assistance from reaching remote communities to be removed, warning that border restrictions and administrative procedures should not hinder the movement of patients or medical supplies.
The organization said more than 1,400 staff members are currently deployed in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, where it operates seven Ebola treatment centers and more than 15 isolation wards with a combined capacity of over 480 beds.
Since the outbreak began, MSF said it has treated more than 1,362 patients, including 554 confirmed Ebola cases, of whom 282 have recovered.
The organization added that it continues to support the Congolese Health Ministry through surveillance, testing, contact tracing, healthcare worker training, community awareness campaigns and the provision of essential health services.
The Democratic Republic of Congo declared its 17th Ebola outbreak on May 15 after confirming infections caused by the Bundibugyo virus. Two days later, the World Health Organization declared the outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC).
The warning coincides with a visit by WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus to Kinshasa, where he is expected to meet government officials and humanitarian organizations to discuss ways to strengthen efforts to contain the outbreak.
N.J/ABD
