Butembo:Doctors Without Borders (MSF) has issued a warning about a significant increase in Ebola cases in North Kivu, located in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, stressing the urgent need to expand treatment facilities.
According to Qatar News Agency, the outbreak, which has intensified since early September, now sees North Kivu contributing to nearly 40 percent of the country's new confirmed Ebola cases.
Stephanie Hofman, MSF treatment center coordinator in Butembo, highlighted the emergence of new hotspots weekly and the severe shortage of beds, which necessitates risky patient transfers. She pointed out that over 60 percent of Ebola-related deaths occur outside of health facilities, emphasizing the critical need for early care and patient isolation.
This outbreak is the 17th in the country's history and is driven by the Bundibugyo strain. Currently, there is no specific vaccine or treatment available for this strain. According to data from the World Health Organization, the Bundibugyo strain has resulted in 4,082 deaths out of 8,463 cases.