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Congo’s Latest Ebola Outbreak Nears End as Last Patient Discharged
BULAPE, Congo – The Democratic Republic of Congo is on the cusp of declaring an end to its latest Ebola outbreak, as the World Health Organization (WHO) announced that the final patient was discharged over the weekend. No new cases have been reported since September 25th, initiating a 42-day countdown before the outbreak can be officially declared over.
The outbreak, first identified on September 4th in the remote Bulape health district of Kasai, saw a total of 64 cases, comprising 53 confirmed and 11 probable infections. Tragically, 43 lives were lost, while 19 patients, including the individual discharged Sunday, made full recoveries.
Dr. Mohamed Janabi, WHO Regional Director for Africa, lauded the swift response, stating, “The recovery of the last patient just six weeks after the outbreak was declared is a remarkable achievement that shows how strong partnership, national expertise and determination have contributed to overcoming challenges to save and protect lives.”
Despite the encouraging news, the WHO emphasized its continued presence on the ground, working in close collaboration with the Congolese government to maintain surveillance and ensure a rapid response to any potential new cases.
This marked the first Ebola outbreak in 18 years for the Kasai province, a challenging region where poor road networks presented significant obstacles for health workers attempting to reach affected individuals.