WHO: DR Congo Ebola outbreak hits 10,668 cases and 5,198 deaths
- The World Health Organization says the Bundibugyo virus outbreak in DR Congo has reached 10,668 cases and 5,198 deaths as of November 3.
- Active transmission continues in 51 of 67 affected health zones across eight provinces, with a case fatality ratio of 48.7 percent.
- No new cases have been reported in Nigeria or Kenya since October 23, but WHO urges continued cross-border surveillance.
The World Health Organization (WHO) says the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has now recorded 10,668 cases and 5,198 deaths, as of November 3. The figures, released in a statement on Saturday, put the case fatality ratio at 48.7 percent.
The outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo virus, one of the strains that cause Ebola disease. According to WHO, transmission is still active in 51 of the 67 affected health zones, spread across eight provinces.
For Nigerians, the update matters most for what it says about this country: no new cases have been reported in Nigeria or Kenya since WHO's previous update on October 23. That is reassuring, but health officials are not letting their guard down.
Why the death toll is rising
WHO said 512 deaths were reported between October 21 and November 3. Of these, 335 died in their communities and 177 in treatment centres.
The agency is worried about the high number of community deaths, especially among young children. It blamed the trend on late detection of cases and delays in getting patients to proper care.
Some areas of the DRC have seen a slight drop in cases, but WHO said transmission across the country remains sustained and high.
The outbreak has also reached beyond the DRC's borders in a limited way. Switzerland and the United Kingdom have medically evacuated confirmed cases involving their own citizens, though no new country has reported cases since the last update.
What happens next
WHO is asking countries in the region to keep up preparedness: cross-border surveillance, checks at points of entry, early detection of cases and a coordinated response.
The agency also advised against travel or trade restrictions on countries dealing with the outbreak, based on the information available now.
For Nigeria, that means the focus stays on screening at airports and land borders, and on making sure health workers can spot a suspected case quickly. The absence of new Nigerian cases since October 23 is good news, but WHO's message is clear: the region cannot relax yet.
