The World Health Organization (WHO) warns that active transmission of the Ebola virus persists in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Despite successes in neighboring Uganda, medics in the DRC lack $30 million to deliver protective equipment and supplies to affected areas. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Kursiv Media.
According to Reuters, the outbreak of a new Ebola strain in Uganda has ended, but in Congo, on the contrary, there is an increase in infections and deaths.
Thus, according to the DRC government, more than 2,700 deaths and over 5,600 cases of infection have been recorded as of the latest data.
"Transmission remains very active. We have slowed the acceleration, but we have not yet been able to turn the situation around," says Marie Roseline Bélizaire, Director of Emergency Preparedness in the WHO African Region.
According to her, analyses of the new Ebola strain have not revealed any signs of mutation, despite the rapid spread of the virus. However, a significant funding shortfall is a concern.
The DRC currently needs at least $30 million for logistics operations to deliver medical equipment and personal protective equipment to the most affected areas of Congo.
"Without these immediate investments, we risk slowing down the momentum we have gained," she said.
Earlier, Kursiv reported that the Ebola epidemic in the DRC surpassed the previous largest outbreak of 2018–2020.
Recall that the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo became known in mid-May, when a state of emergency was declared in the country. The cause was a rare strain called Bundibugyo.
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