Ebola transmission in southern Democratic Republic of Congo is easing, with fewer recent infections among children and a falling case-fatality trend as surveillance and case management improve, the World Health Organization said on Wednesday.
In its latest situation report, WHO Africa said the outbreak remains limited to six of 21 health areas in the Bulape Health Zone, Kasai Province. As of Sept. 28, authorities have recorded 64 cases — 53 confirmed and 11 probable — and 42 deaths (31 confirmed, 11 probable). Nine patients have been discharged, while 13 remain in care. The overall case-fatality ratio stands at 65.6%.
Women account for 57.8% of infections, and children aged 0–9 years represent 25.0% of cases. Five confirmed infections have been reported among health workers, including three deaths.
Congo declared its 16th Ebola outbreak on Sept. 4 in Kasai Province, which borders Angola. Ebola is a severe viral illness transmitted to humans from infected wildlife and spreads through human-to-human contact.