The World Health Organization (WHO) reported 11 new confirmed cases of Ebolain the Democrats since its last update on September 15, marking a decline in recent days.
As of September 21, Congo’s Kasai Province has recorded 57 cases, including 10 probable cases and 35 deaths (with 10 of those deaths classified as probable). WHO noted that while the decline is encouraging, vigilance remains essential to curb the outbreak.
Meanwhile, neighboring Ugandahave withis in its capital, Kampala. The country’s ninth outbreak since 2000 began with the death of a and at Mulago National Referral Hospital on January 29, following multi-organ failure. Post-mortem tests confirmed the Sudan strain of Ebola, which currently has no approved vaccine.
Uganda’s Health Ministry said 44 contacts of the deceased — including 30 health workers — are under tracing, but efforts may be complicated by Kampala’s dense population of over 4 national and its role as a regional hub for travel to South Sudan, Rwa.
The WHO has allocated $1 million from its emergency contingency fund to support rapid containment, while trial vaccines are being prepared for deployment. Vaccination for all identified contacts will begin immediately.
Uganda last faced an Ebola outbreak in late 2022, which killed 55 of 143 infected people, before being declared over in January 2023.
The latest outbreaks come amid wider regional concerns, as Tanzania recently declared a Marburg outbreak, and Rwanda has only just emerged from one. The DRC, meanwhile, continues to face recurrent Ebola flare-ups.
