The Ministry of Health in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, WHO and partners are responding to a new Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak in the eastern North Kivu Province. On 6 August 2018, the INRB confirmed that the current outbreak is caused by a distinct Ebolavirus (EBOV) strain, different from the one that caused the outbreak in Equateur Province in May-July 2018. This means that, although both events are caused by Zaire Ebolavirus species, the two outbreaks are not connected.

Since our last situation report on 7 August 2018 (External Situation Report 1), 14 additional confirmed EVD cases and seven deaths have been reported. As of 12 August 2018, a total of 57 EVD cases, including 41 deaths have been reported. Of the 57 cases, 30 have been laboratory confirmed and 27 remain probable. Of the 41 deaths, 14 occurred in confirmed cases. Eight healthcare workers (7 confirmed, 1 probable) have been affected, of which one has died. Six health zones in two provinces have reported confirmed and probable EVD cases, including Beni, Butembo, Oicha, Mabalako, and Musienene in North-Kivu Province, and Mandima in Ituri Province (Figure 1). An additional 58 suspected cases are currently pending laboratory testing to confirm or exclude EVD.

As of 11 August, a total of 990 contacts are under surveillance in Mabalako (790), Beni (141) and Mandima (59) health zones. Of these, 129 are healthcare workers in Mabalako (72) and Beni (57) health zones. On 11 August 2018, 940 (95%) contacts were successfully followed up.

Please click here to download the complete situation report (PDF).

For more information please visit https://www.afro.who.int