The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) reported on Thursday that it is too early to claim that the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is under control, despite signs of stabilization observed in recent weeks.
Africa CDC official spokesperson, Wessam Mankula, stated during an online press briefing that 'we are still too early to talk about control over the entire outbreak,' noting that the epidemic 'continues to evolve.'
According to the latest government situation report, as of September 1st, 6,250 confirmed cases and 3,039 deaths have been registered in the DRC, resulting in a case fatality rate of 48.6%. Meanwhile, 1,439 patients have recovered. The outbreak has affected 60 health zones across six provinces.
Mankula reported that transmission has been stopped in four health zones because no new cases have been recorded there for over 42 days, while in five other zones, they are in a 'control phase,' having gone 21 to 42 days without new cases. However, active transmission continues in 51 health zones.
He noted that there has been a decrease in cases over the past two weeks, and the situation is approaching a plateau. Nevertheless, Mankula cautioned that it is 'too early to speak of a sustained decline in this outbreak.'
According to him, reaching a plateau may indicate strengthened surveillance systems, earlier case detection, active patient searching, infection prevention and control measures, and improved patient management. He added that he hopes that if the third week continues in a plateau phase, then a decline will begin.
However, he advised against drawing hasty conclusions, recalling that a similar plateau was observed previously in June, after which the incidence increased. This is why the data is interpreted with caution.
The current outbreak, declared in May, is the largest and deadliest Ebola epidemic in the country's history and the second largest in the world, trailing the 2014–2016 West Africa epidemic.
Mankula also pointed out that although Uganda recently announced the end of its Ebola outbreak, the ongoing active transmission in eastern DRC provinces bordering Uganda creates a constant cross-border risk. He emphasized the need to establish robust surveillance systems at entry points and in border communities for the early detection of potential spread cases and the prevention of a new wave of cross-border transmission. Mankula reiterated: 'this outbreak is still evolving.' He concluded that 'gradual measures are no longer enough; it is time to scale up all various response measures to control the situation on the ground.'
The Director-General of Africa CDC, Jean Kasai, noted on Wednesday that Ebola in the DRC 'remains extremely serious and continues to spread.' He added that, 'despite significant efforts by the DRC government and its partners, we have not yet reached the level we need.'
Currently, there is no approved vaccine or treatment specifically targeting the Bundibugyo virus causing the current outbreak. Therefore, the international community relies on experimental and repurposed medical countermeasures. Regarding vaccines, the Ervebo vaccine, licensed for use against Zaire ebolavirus, is being assessed for cross-protection against the Bundibugyo strain through field efficacy studies.