Ebola deaths reach 4,687 in DR Congo
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Kivumorningpost
The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo reached 9,704 confirmed cases and 4,687 deaths by 20 October, according to the National Institute of Public Health. Sixty-seven new cases and 41 deaths were recorded in 24 hours, mainly in Ituri and North Kivu, while 2,595 patients recovered.
The 17th Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo reached 9,704 confirmed cases, including 4,687 deaths, by 20 October, according to the situation report from the National Institute of Public Health (INSP), published on 21 October. The case fatality rate stands at 48.3% for this outbreak caused by the Bundibugyo virus.
During the 24 hours covered by the report, 67 new cases were recorded: 37 in Ituri, 29 in North Kivu and one in Tshopo. Forty-one deaths were also reported, including 23 in the community and 18 in treatment centres. Ituri remains the worst-affected province, with 7,040 cumulative cases.
In total, 66 health zones across eight provinces have been affected since the outbreak began. The INSP also records 2,595 people who have recovered, including 21 recently discharged from care facilities, and 1,041 people in isolation. Of 462 samples analysed during the period, 67 were positive, giving a positivity rate of 14.5%.
The new figures extend the rise in cases recorded in previous situation updates. By 18 October, the DR Congo had 9,600 cases and 4,600 deaths.
