DR Congo's Ebola Cases Top 1,200, Death Toll Reaches 321

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Ebola virus illustration. Shutterstock

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) has reported 1,203 confirmed cases of Ebola, including 321 deaths, since the outbreak was declared in mid-May, according to the latest report released Friday (June 26) by the country's public health authorities.

According to the report as cited by Antara, 148 patients have recovered, while 419 are in isolation or remain hospitalized. DRC health authorities have also identified 265 suspected cases, including 77 deaths.

World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on Friday on the social media platform X that contact tracing in DRC has reached more people, and more Ebola patients have recovered and returned home. However, the WHO chief warned that the fight is far from over. He noted that war and insecurity are still slowing efforts to contain the outbreak, and public distrust remains a major challenge.

The report also identified a series of operational challenges facing the outbreak, including community resistance to postmortem testing, inadequate treatment capacity in Ituri, where treatment centers are nearing capacity, and close contact tracing rates that remain below the 95 percent target.

The report also warned of shortages of essential medicines, infection prevention and control supplies, and a shortage of approximately 20 isolation centers. Vulnerability and limited access in areas affected by armed groups, population mobility, and a funding shortfall of approximately US$20 million (US$1 = Rp17,942) were also cited as key constraints.

The current outbreak, primarily caused by the Bundibugyo Ebola virus, was officially declared on May 15.

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