The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has called for urgent action to contain the rapidly worsening Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, warning that it could become the deadliest epidemic in the country’s history if left unchecked.
The outbreak, declared on May 15, has spread across several provinces, including Haut-Uele, Ituri, North Kivu, South Kivu and Tshopo, with Ituri identified as the epicentre of the outbreak.
According to Africa CDC, more than 2,423 confirmed cases and 967 deaths have been recorded, representing a fatality rate of nearly 40 percent.
Director-General of Africa CDC, Dr. Jean Kaseya, urged governments, international partners and health agencies to intensify response efforts, stressing that immediate action is needed to save lives and prevent further spread of the virus.
The World Health Organization has also declared the outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, calling for stronger global support to contain the disease.
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In response to the outbreak, several countries, including Canada, the Bahamas and the United States, have introduced temporary travel restrictions affecting people who have recently travelled to the Democratic Republic of Congo and other affected countries.
Africa CDC says coordinated international action remains critical to preventing the outbreak from escalating into a wider regional public health crisis.
