The 1,000-case mark for confirmed cases of Ebola virus disease has been surpassed in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This has happened in less than two months since the outbreak was declared by the Congolese Government.

The latest epidemiological situation report records 1,003 confirmed cases, including 254 deaths and 365 patients who are either in isolation or hospitalized.

The government cites a case fatality rate of 25.3 per cent, whilst the contact tracing rate stands at 58 per cent since the start of the Ebola outbreak, which has been declared a public health emergency of international concern by the World Health Organization (WHO).

With 916 confirmed cases – representing over 91 per cent of the national total – Ituri remains the worst-affected province. Twenty-two out of thirty-six health zones there are affected. The province has recorded 205 deaths, corresponding to a case fatality rate of 22.4 per cent. Despite the seriousness of the situation, recoveries are being recorded: six further patients have recently been declared recovered.

North Kivu has 84 confirmed cases and 48 deaths, with a particularly high case fatality rate of 57.1 per cent. Eleven out of thirty-four health zones are affected. Local and national authorities are stepping up surveillance and care in an attempt to contain the spread.

In South Kivu, the situation remains more contained, with only 3 confirmed cases and 1 death in Miti-Murhesa. No new cases have been reported since 26 May, but surveillance remains active. Two patients there have been declared recovered.

In total, the DRC has recorded 1,003 confirmed cases and 254 deaths, representing an overall case fatality rate of 25.3 per cent. Currently, 365 patients are hospitalized or in isolation, whilst 100 people have been discharged from treatment centers after recovery. Contact tracing stands at 58 per cent in the affected provinces.

The Congolese Minister of Health, Roger Kamba, has announced that healthcare will be provided free of charge to residents of Ituri, in the north-east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The measure will, in particular, enable the faster identification and treatment of Ebola patients, with Ituri being the epicenter of the outbreak.

The aim is also to identify Ebola patients and their contacts more effectively, which will help to further curb the chain of transmission. Furthermore, the measure will relieve pressure on healthcare facilities that are keeping potential Ebola patients in their wards without referring them quickly enough to specialist centers.

Written by Akilimali Chomachoma, from Bunia

Caption: A nurse visiting her patients suffering from Ebola in the Rwampara Ebola center. Photo by Akilimali Chomachoma