So far, 48 cases have been reported in the province of Kasaï in central Congo-Kinshasa, according to WHO's representative Patrick Otim. 31 deaths have been officially confirmed, and 15 patients are being cared for at a health center in Bulape – where the outbreak has hit the hardest.
An effort with extensive vaccination has been initiated against the severe viral disease, and an additional 45,000 doses will be delivered to the capital Kinshasa in the coming days. About 500 health personnel have been vaccinated since doses were delivered directly to Bulape. Difficulties in reaching the affected areas are due, among other things, to logistical problems, including cooling of the vaccine.
We note that the spread of the infection is decreasing – it is a success that we can utilize. If we can continue in this way, with, among other things, extended vaccination, then I think we can control this outbreak very soon, says Otim from WHO.
During the epidemic in 2018-2020 in the North Kivu province, about 2,300 people died. The outbreak in Kasaï is the 16th since the Ebola infection was identified in 1976.
