CONFIRMED Ebola cases in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) have surpassed 5,500, with more than 2,600 deaths, government figures showed Monday.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) said the outbreak reached a “defining moment” more than 100 days after it was declared.
The latest official tally, with data through Saturday, recorded 5,514 confirmed cases and 2,642 deaths, putting the case fatality rate at 47.9 per cent.
A total of 1,200 patients have recovered.
The outbreak has spread to 57 health zones in Ituri, North Kivu, South Kivu, Haut-Uele, Bas-Uele and Tshopo provinces.
The WHO said that the epidemic has become the fastest-growing Ebola outbreak ever recorded in the DRC, warning that transmission continues to outpace control efforts.
“This outbreak has reached a defining moment,” WHO Regional Director for Africa Mohamed Janabi said in a statement.
“The choices we make now will determine how quickly we can bring this outbreak under control, protect and save lives.”
Ituri remains the epicenter, accounting for about 85 per cent of all cases and 79 per cent of deaths, according to the WHO.
Deaths occurring outside Ebola treatment centers remain a major concern.
The WHO said community deaths accounted for around 60 per cent of fatalities recorded in recent weeks, pointing to persistent problems with early detection, referral and access to treatment. (Xinhua/NAN)
