Ebola outbreak in DRC has peaked, say authorities, as infection rates slow

Authorities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) have announced that the Ebola outbreak affecting parts of the country has reached its peak. For the first time since the epidemic was declared in May, the number of new infections is slowing down, according to officials.

Samuel Roger Kamba, the Congolese health minister, emphasized the need for strict adherence to preventive measures. He reported a decline in the transmission of the Bundibugyo variant of Ebola, stating:

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"We are fighting a very dangerous virus that is killing many of our people. Today, we can say that the outbreak is under control."

Kamba noted that at one point, the DRC was recording about 120 cases per day, but that number has decreased to approximately 80 cases per day. He highlighted that:

• It has been more than 22 days since 10 of the 62 health zones reported new cases.
• Six health zones can be removed from the list as they have gone more than 42 days without new cases.
• Four health zones can be removed for having gone more than 21 days without a new case.