Ebola outbreak in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo tops 1,000 cases
According the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as of March 24, 2019, public health officials have documented that the Ebola outbreak in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has surpassed 1,000 cases; the current total number of confirmed and probable cases is 1009, including 625 deaths and 318 survivors. The outbreak is the largest in DRC’s history and the second largest outbreak recorded of Ebola ever (after the 2014-2016 outbreak in West Africa).
The outbreak in DRC is occurring in a region where there is armed conflict, outbreaks of violence, and other problems that complicate public health response activities and increase the risk of disease spread both locally within DRC and to neighboring countries.
“This is a disappointing milestone,” said CDC Director Robert R. Redfield, M.D. in a CDC release. “This remains a highly complex Ebola outbreak with active Ebola transmission in 21 health zones.”
Redfield said CDC will continue to work around the clock in DRC, neighboring countries, and globally to help prevent the spread of Ebola and stop reoccurrence by providing technical assistance its various partners, including the Ministries of Health of.
