Ebola outbreak update: considerable, but not unexpected, increase in cases

According to a May 2 update on the Ebola virus disease (EVD) situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the World Health Organization (WHO) said the “operating environment has become increasingly insecure and socio-politically complex,” making it very difficult to deliver timely response interventions to communities hit hardest by the outbreak namely in the regions of Butembo and Katwa.

As of April 30, a total of 1,495 confirmed and probable EVD cases have been reported, of which 984 died (case fatality rate 66 percent). Of the total cases with recorded sex and age, 56 percent (830) were female, and 28 percent (422) were children aged less than 18 years. The number of healthcare workers affected has risen to 92 (6 percent of total cases). To date, a total of 415 EVD patients who received care at Ebola Treatment Centers have been discharged.

WHO says operations are gradually resuming following a comprehensive reinforcement of security measures and community engagement efforts but that security situation remains volatile in the presence of armed groups and other problems. “New EVD cases are expected to continue to increase, in tandem with incidents of insecurity in these hotspot areas over the coming weeks, placing significant strain on response teams and the security resources available to secure their movements,” WHO announced.

The WHO said the spread of Ebola is still the most intense in the Katwa, Butembo, and Mandima hotspot areas and notable recurring re-introduction events having been documented in previously affected health zones such as Mabalako and Musienene, followed by local amplification and extension to affect new heath areas.

Between April 10 - 30, WHO reports that 70 health areas within 15 health zones reported new cases; 45 percent of the 157 health areas affected to date. During this period, a total of 292 confirmed cases were reported, the majority of which were from the following health zones:

·   Katwa, 47 percent

·   Butembo, 13 percent

·   Mandima, 11 percent

·   Mabalako, 7 percent

·   Musienene, 6 percent

WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus and WHO Regional Director for Africa Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, visited Butembo to review current response activities and bolster support for the response personnel currently operating there. During the visit, the doctors assesses the next steps needed to strengthen both security and the Ebola response effort. WHO says they also met with local political, business and religious leaders, and called on them to accelerate their efforts to help stabilize the surrounding environment. The doctors also repeated appeals to the international community to intensify support to contain the outbreak by bridging the funding gap.