MSF says Ebola outbreak in DR Congo's North Kivu province is out of control
In short
Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) has said the spread of Ebola in the Democratic Republic of the Congo's North Kivu province has gone out of control, Russian outlets reported. The province accounts for nearly 40% of new cases in the country, according to the organisation. Stephanie Hoffmann (Стефани Хоффманн), an MSF coordinator in Butembo, said most new infections are linked to unknown chains of transmission.
Read the full story 1 min read
Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) has warned of a sharp rise in Ebola cases in the Democratic Republic of the Congo's North Kivu province, saying the spread of the virus has gone out of control, Vedomosti reported, citing Africa News. TASS also reported MSF's statement that Ebola is out of control in the province, and RIA Novosti reported that the Ebola situation in one of the country's provinces is out of control. According to MSF, the northeastern region accounts for nearly 40% of new cases across the country; TASS described these as new confirmed cases. [ 2 , 3 , 4 ]
Stephanie Hoffmann (Стефани Хоффманн), coordinator of MSF's Ebola treatment centre in Butembo, said most new infections are linked to unknown chains of transmission. She said one of the main problems remains insufficient community involvement: people are afraid to admit they may have the disease and to seek help. Earlier, on October 6, TASS reported Hoffmann as saying that the character of the virus's spread changes from week to week, and that MSF regarded the outbreak as unpredictable. [ 1 , 4 ]
On September 21, the Congolese National Institute of Public Health reported that confirmed Ebola deaths in the Democratic Republic of the Congo had reached 3,699, Vedomosti reported. At that time the disease had affected seven of the country's 26 provinces. [ 4 ]
Why it matters
MSF's assessment points to an outbreak that responders cannot fully trace, with most new cases outside known transmission chains. According to Vedomosti, the disease had already spread to seven of the country's 26 provinces by September 21, and Hoffmann said the pattern of spread changes from week to week.
Key facts
- MSF said Ebola spread in North Kivu province of DR Congo has gone out of control. [ 2 , 4 ]
- North Kivu accounts for nearly 40% of new cases in the country, according to MSF. [ 2 , 4 ]
- Stephanie Hoffmann, coordinator of MSF's Ebola treatment centre in Butembo, said most new infections are linked to unknown chains of transmission. [ 4 ]
- Hoffmann said the character of the virus's spread changes from week to week, and MSF described the outbreak as unpredictable. [ 1 ]
- Hoffmann said people are afraid to admit they may have the disease and to seek help. [ 4 ]
- On September 21 the DR Congo National Institute of Public Health reported 3,699 confirmed Ebola deaths, with seven of 26 provinces affected, Vedomosti reported. [ 4 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- The death toll of 3,699 and the seven affected provinces date from September 21. Only Vedomosti reported these figures, and none of the documents gives a more recent count.
- Whether the nearly 40% share refers to confirmed cases or all new cases. TASS speaks of new confirmed cases, while Vedomosti speaks of all new cases.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- October 6: TASS reports MSF calls the Ebola outbreak in DR Congo unpredictable. [ 1 ]
- October 8: TASS reports MSF says Ebola is out of control in a DR Congo province. [ 2 ]
- October 8: RIA Novosti reports the Ebola situation in one DR Congo province is out of control. [ 3 ]
- October 8: Vedomosti reports MSF's warning of a sharp rise in Ebola cases in North Kivu. [ 4 ]