Congo reports 10,060 Ebola cases as response faces surveillance gaps

Congo has recorded 10,060 confirmed Ebola cases, with nearly half of those infected having died, The Korea Times reported Tuesday, citing the country’s Ministry of Health. Gaps in contact monitoring and mounting pressure on treatment centers are hampering containment.

Cases have been recorded in five countries, although Uganda and France reportedly have no active cases. Within Congo, the outbreak is also disrupting maternal care, childhood vaccinations and efforts to combat other diseases, according to The Korea Times.

According to The Korea Times, the outbreak has reached 66 health zones in eight Congolese provinces, up from three zones when it was declared in May. The report describes it as Congo’s deadliest Ebola outbreak and the fastest-growing on record.

About 80% of recorded cases involve people outside the contacts being monitored, leaving authorities unaware of many transmission chains, the newspaper reported. Africa CDC says at least 95% of cases should be identified among known contacts before the outbreak can be considered largely under control.

At least half of recorded deaths involved people who had not entered treatment centers, according to the report. Responders described facilities struggling with demand, hostility toward health workers and strikes over compensation that was late or unpaid. A nurse responding to an Ebola alert was killed Saturday in Bafwasende, in Tshopo province, and another health worker was severely injured.

The Korea Times reported that the outbreak involves the rare Bundibugyo virus, for which there is no approved vaccine or treatment. Armed conflict, difficult road access, mistrust and misinformation have complicated efforts to contain it. Maternal mortality reportedly doubled in some provinces soon after the outbreak was declared as pregnant women stayed away from hospitals.

Cases have been recorded in Congo, Kenya, Nigeria, Uganda and France, according to the newspaper. African health ministers are scheduled to meet virtually Wednesday to strengthen coordination. Authorities are deploying contact monitoring, treatment centers, community outreach and teams that conduct safe burials.

At least 2,600 patients in Congo have recovered, according to The Korea Times. But the response continues alongside disruptions to schooling, routine health care and efforts to control cholera.