WHO: Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak passes 2,100 cases in Congo
The Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo remained active as of July 15, with 2,124 confirmed cases and 828 deaths, according to a World Health Organization update issued July 17.
The outbreak is centered in Ituri and other affected areas of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The response also involves Uganda and Germany after an evacuated U.S. humanitarian worker was confirmed infected and treated in Germany.
An evacuated worker tested positive
Germany notified the WHO on July 13 that the humanitarian worker, who had been evacuated from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, had a laboratory-confirmed Bundibugyo virus infection. The worker was treated in Germany.
The case brought the outbreak response across national borders, but the WHO identified it as an evacuated case connected to the outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It was not reported as evidence of community transmission in Germany.
The Congo figures are a reported tally as of July 15, rather than a final outcome. The WHO said transmission remained active, meaning investigations and reporting could change the number of cases and deaths as the response continues.
Uganda reports no new cases since June 21
Uganda reported no new cases after June 21, according to the WHO. The country’s latest case was discharged on July 16 after receiving two negative test results.
The Ugandan update came as health authorities continued monitoring the cross-border outbreak. The reported lack of new cases after June 21 and the discharge of the latest patient provided the latest status available for Uganda in the WHO update, while transmission continued in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The WHO assessed the risk to the rest of Africa and to the global population as low. That assessment describes the organization’s current evaluation of wider risk; it does not mean that international spread is impossible while the outbreak remains active.
The agency advised against imposing travel or trade restrictions on the Democratic Republic of the Congo or Uganda. Its guidance indicates that broader restrictions are not warranted by the current risk assessment.
Testing and countermeasure work
The WHO is assessing candidate vaccines and therapeutics for Bundibugyo virus disease. The update did not announce a final vaccine or treatment decision.
On July 2, the WHO added the first molecular diagnostic test for Bundibugyo virus to its Emergency Use Listing. The test detects viral genetic material in blood samples.
The listing is intended to accelerate the use of testing for detection, clinical care, surveillance and outbreak response. It gives health authorities a diagnostic tool as they track infections and manage the continuing response.
The outbreak’s current picture therefore combines a large and still-active outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, a confirmed evacuated case treated in Germany and no newly reported Ugandan cases since June 21. The WHO’s low assessment for wider regional and global risk stands alongside its advice against travel and trade restrictions and its continuing work on diagnostics, vaccines and therapeutics.
Sources
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