The Democratic Republic of the Congo has recorded more than 8,000 confirmed Ebola cases in its largest and deadliest outbreak, as insecurity, displacement and public mistrust continue to complicate containment efforts.
Government data published Monday recorded 8,067 cases and 3,901 deaths, a case fatality rate of 48.4 percent, while health agencies warned that transmission remains significant despite signs of decline in some areas.
The outbreak, officially declared on May 15, is caused by the Bundibugyo strain, for which there is no approved vaccine or treatment.
Several treatments and vaccines are being trialled, but authorities reported a complete shortage of stocks of an experimental vaccine in Tshopo province and low capacity to treat cases at health centres in Ituri.
Africa CDC said case numbers have levelled off after a rapid rise but described the outbreak as not under control.
Ituri, the outbreak’s epicentre, has seen a gradual decline from a mid-August peak, although transmission remains high.
In North Kivu, infections rose substantially to a record level in mid-September before declining in recent reporting days.
Public anger has also complicated the response.
Marie-Celestin Karondwa, an acting UDPS party official in Butembo, was attacked and killed by local residents after discussing Ebola prevention measures on radio, according to Congolese authorities and a party representative.
The United Nations has called for safe humanitarian access to Kigonze displacement camp in Bunia, where nearly 19,000 people are hosted and thousands have reportedly fled following security incidents since September 20.
Reports said soldiers entered the camp searching for weapons and suspected members of non-State armed groups, while gunshots were heard.
Aid workers are struggling to assess needs and maintain services, and the dispersal of families could disrupt surveillance, contact tracing and outbreak control.
More than 1.1 million people are displaced across Ituri, including over 373,000 in displacement sites.
The WHO has said the outbreak is far from over.
The United States announced a further $267 million for the Ebola response, while seeking additional international pledges toward a $2 billion target.