The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has recorded 10,668 confirmed cases and 5,198 deaths from Bundibugyo virus disease, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). The figures, which reflect the situation as of November 3, correspond to a case fatality ratio of 48.7 per cent.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the WHO reported that the outbreak has continued to spread geographically, with active transmission ongoing in 51 of the 67 affected health zones across eight provinces. Although some areas have recorded a slight decline in cases, the organisation noted that sustained and high-level transmission persists across the country.
Community deaths raise concern
The WHO disclosed that 512 deaths were reported between October 21 and the latest update, comprising 335 deaths in communities and 177 in treatment centres. The organisation expressed particular concern over the high number of community deaths, especially among young children, attributing the trend to challenges in early detection and timely access to appropriate healthcare.
On regional transmission, the WHO stated that no new cases had been reported in Kenya and Nigeria since its previous Disease Outbreak News published on October 23. It nonetheless stressed the need for sustained regional preparedness, including cross-border surveillance, monitoring at points of entry, early case detection and coordinated response measures.
The organisation also confirmed that Switzerland and the United Kingdom had medically evacuated confirmed cases involving their citizens, while noting that no new country had reported cases since the previous update.
The WHO advised against imposing travel or trade restrictions on countries experiencing or responding to the outbreak, based on currently available information.
