An Ebola outbreak that emerged in mid-May in Beni, North Kivu province in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is being characterized as potentially more severe than currently documented cases suggest, according to Yap Boum II, head of emergency preparedness and response for the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC). Boum, who is also regional incident manager for the Ebola response, made the assessment following a visit to an Ebola treatment centre in Beni this week.
The outbreak is unfolding amid escalating insecurity in the region. More than 30 people were killed in attacks on nearby villages in the week preceding Boum’s visit, with multiple victims beheaded. This violence is severely hampering disease control efforts and community engagement, which are critical for containing transmission.
Health authorities are prioritizing community trust and engagement as central to outbreak response. The Africa CDC and partner organizations are working to maintain treatment centre operations and surveillance efforts despite active conflict in the region. This is a developing story.
Source: Ebola: Outbreak cases are “tip of iceberg,” says Africa CDC…
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