WHO Regional Director for Africa Professor Mohamed Janabi warned that 60 to 70 percent of Ebola deaths in DRC are occurring at home, as health authorities detect only around a third of the outbreak.
“Three months into the outbreak, if we are seeing only 30 percent, if we are seeing only one third, can we sit down and review our approach?” Janabi told a press briefing in Bunia on Monday.
Dr Steve Ahuka, National Incident Manager for the Ebola Response, said the findings must now translate into measures implemented and monitored over the next 12 weeks.
“I remain convinced that, with the collaboration of WHO and all the partners <…> we can quite clearly reverse the curve of the outbreak and save lives,” Ahuka added.
WHO Representative in DRC Dr Anne Ancia said stronger community engagement would be crucial, particularly as many deaths are occurring outside health facilities.
“The deaths are occurring in the community. We have called ourselves experts. We bring technical expertise, but we cannot do the work in place of the communities,” she stressed.
Officials said the coming weeks would focus on greater community mobilisation to curb the outbreak and save lives.
More than 4,200 confirmed Ebola cases and over 1,900 deaths have been reported in DRC as of 10 August, according to WHO.
Bundibugyo virus spreads through contact with infected bodily fluids or contaminated materials. There is no approved vaccine or specific treatment, though trials are under way.
Source: Viory
