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The World Health Organization (WHO) on Tuesday called for greater support to tackle the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), warning that the response is still struggling to keep pace with the spread of the disease.
“The outbreak is unfortunately still expanding beyond the capacity of the response,” WHO spokesman Tarik Jasarevic told reporters in Geneva.
“We need more support in terms of finances, but also other resources to scale up all areas of response: treatment capacity, field investigation teams, safe burial teams and community workers.”
The Country has recorded 3,802 confirmed Ebola cases, including 1,707 deaths. A further 727 patients have recovered, while 275 suspected cases remain under investigation.
Around 17,000 contacts are being monitored, with more than 80% receiving daily follow-up checks.
Although cases have been reported in five provinces, nearly 90% are in the northeastern province of Ituri, with almost all the remainder in neighbouring North Kivu.
Jasarevic said the response must focus on where the virus is spreading now and where it could spread next.
Ebola is a viral haemorrhagic fever that spreads through close contact with infected people and their bodily fluids.
The DRC declared its 17th Ebola outbreak on 15 May after several deaths were reported in Ituri.
The outbreak is being driven by the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, for which there are no proven safe and effective treatments, vaccines or post-exposure prophylaxis options.
However, several trials of potential therapies, vaccines and post-exposure antiviral drugs are under way.
Vasee Moorthy, who heads the WHO’s research and development blueprint programme, said the early results were promising.