Ebola: DR Congo records 9,600 cases and 4,600 deaths as of 18 October
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Echorouk
The Democratic Republic of Congo had about 9,600 confirmed Ebola cases and 4,600 deaths as of 18 October, while Kenya had recorded nine cases as of 20 October. Africa CDC director-general Jean Kaseya announced a meeting of African health ministers on 28 October to coordinate cross-border surveillance, according to Echorouk.
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) had about 9,600 confirmed Ebola cases and 4,600 deaths as of 18 October, according to figures provided by Jean Kaseya, director-general of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC). The case fatality rate was close to 48%.
Jean Kaseya called for stronger cooperation between African countries after cases were detected in Kenya and Nigeria. A meeting of African health ministers is scheduled for 28 October to discuss the cross-border response and surveillance in public and private health facilities.
Kenya had recorded nine cases as of 20 October. All involved people who were already being monitored as contacts, the Africa CDC chief said, describing the situation as under control. In Nigeria, 44 people who had been in contact with the identified case were being monitored, while authorities searched for other contacts.
Although Uganda has announced the end of the outbreak in its territory, Jean Kaseya nevertheless urged continued vigilance over the risk of cross-border transmission. Africa CDC declared the outbreak a “Public Health Emergency of Continental Security” on 18 May.
The latest figures from Congo extend the rise in numbers already reported: on 3 October, articles on 8,300 cases and 4,018 deaths and 8,067 cases and 3,901 deaths reported earlier totals.
Summary produced with the help of artificial intelligence tools, under AFREEQUE’s editorial responsibility.
