The WHO has declared the Hantavirus outbreak over while raising alarm over a worsening Ebola crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
WHO Declares Hantavirus Outbreak Over, Warns of Worsening Ebola Crisis in DRC
WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus announced Thursday that the Hantavirus outbreak, which originated aboard cruise ship MV Hondius, has officially ended after 13 confirmed cases and three deaths. Health authorities tracked over 650 contacts across 33 countries, Gazette NGR reports.
The relief, however, was short-lived. Ghebreyesus warned that DRC’s Ebola outbreak continues to deteriorate, with an average of 38 new confirmed cases daily over the past two weeks. As of July 2, DRC had recorded 1,406 confirmed cases and 438 deaths.
Treatment capacity has expanded to 650 beds across 22 health centres, though 96 per cent are already occupied. An additional 300 beds are being established. Testing capacity has grown to 10 laboratories, while contact tracing now covers roughly four in every five identified contacts.
The response has faced serious setbacks, including an attack on an Ebola treatment centre in Ituri Province that killed two people and forced patients to flee. Uganda, meanwhile, recorded no new Ebola cases since June 21, though a Marburg virus case has since been confirmed in Kyegegwa District.
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