The World Health Organization (WHO) said DRC contact follow-up fell below its target; the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) counted 10,224 confirmed Ebola cases across five countries by Oct. 27.
WHO’s report, issued Oct. 23, recorded 9,704 confirmed cases and 4,687 deaths in the DRC using data through Oct. 20. The figures covered 66 health zones in eight provinces. In the latest 24-hour period reported as of Oct. 20, 24,017 of 30,130 contacts under follow-up across six provinces were seen. That was a 79.7% rate, below WHO’s 95% target.
The CDC update put the DRC tally at 10,193 cases and 4,960 deaths. It also listed nine cases in Kenya, one in Nigeria, 20 in Uganda and one in France. Uganda had one probable case and one probable death; the CDC reported no active cases in Uganda or France on Oct. 27.
WHO’s report counted 482 deaths in the DRC since its previous update, including 307 in communities and 175 in treatment centers. The agency linked the pattern to difficulties detecting infections early and getting people timely care. The outbreak, caused by Bundibugyo virus, was declared in the DRC on May 15. WHO says no vaccine or specific treatment for the disease is licensed; its guidance says supportive care and early identification can improve recovery prospects.
The CDC lists limited health infrastructure, conflict, violence against health workers, population movement and misinformation among the factors complicating the response. The CDC says this outbreak surpassed 1,000 confirmed cases within 40 days of response activation, compared with about 235 days for the 2018 DRC outbreak to exceed 1,000 cases. WHO recommends that governments avoid travel and trade restrictions involving affected countries.
After an Oct. 28 virtual meeting, Kaseya said in a post on X that more than 40 ministers agreed to strengthen national readiness, coordinate across borders and keep crossings open while monitoring them closely. He described the response as “not winning so far” and cited 10,172 confirmed cases and 4,932 deaths, but did not specify the tally’s date. His post adds to EconoTimes’ earlier coverage of the ministers’ agreement to keep borders open under close monitoring.
Africa CDC said the ministers’ meeting was expected to inform preparations for a summit of heads of state and government under Burundi President Évariste Ndayishimiye. The agency’s notice did not give a summit date.
