Ebola outbreaks in DRC show signs of improvement in North Kivu and Ituri

Health officials in the Democratic Republic of the Congo are reporting progress in managing Ebola virus disease outbreaks in North Kivu and Ituri provinces.

In North Kivu, three patients—including a nurse and a religious worker—were discharged from the Ebola Treatment Center in Beni after being declared cured. The discharge ceremony was led by Dr. Ancet Badirisha and supported by the International Medical Corps.

In the Ituri province, medical sources report a decrease in community deaths in the Niania health zone. Daily deaths in the mining areas of PK 51 and surroundings have dropped to four, down from approximately ten per day a month ago. This improvement follows increased adherence to preventive measures, community awareness campaigns, and the suspension of traffic between Ituri and Haut-Uele to limit spread.

Since the outbreak began in May, the Niania health zone has recorded 196 confirmed cases and 123 deaths, representing a 62% fatality rate. To bolster the response, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is constructing a new treatment center in Niania and an isolation center in PK 47.