Response to End Ebola Outbreak in DR Congo Accelerating, WHO Says

Various control measures are being scaled up in the Democratic Republic of Congo in response to the latest Ebola outbreak, leading to quicker detection of the virus, early start of treatment and contact tracing, the World Health Organization has said. WHO also announced that it has begun a vaccine rollout.

In a statement, the international health body said over 90 percent of contacts of confirmed cases are being monitored and followed up, from just 19 percent a fortnight ago. More than 500 frontline health workers in Bulape health zone – the epicenmter of the outbreak – and contacts have been vaccinated as of 16 September, the statement said.

WHO’s Regional Director for Africa, Mohamed Janab, however warned that ”while we’re witnessing important improvements in the response, we’re still in the early days of the outbreak.”