WHO expands community evidence work in eastern DRC Ebola response
WHO reported 4,209 confirmed cases and 1,916 deaths as it added US$3 million in community evidence work to the eastern DRC Ebola response.
Transmission remains active across eastern DRC, where insecurity and displacement make the response more difficult.
Crisis timelineWHO adds community evidence to outbreak intelligence
On 11 August, the World Health Organization said it had received a US$3 million grant from Wellcome to strengthen the use of community evidence alongside epidemiological, clinical and laboratory data in the Bundibugyo Ebola response.
WHO said the work would expand rapid community assessments. Findings had already identified practical priorities including stronger community surveillance, improved access to toll-free hotlines, psychosocial support for frontline health workers and more timely communication of laboratory results.
The assessments also identified the need to reduce ambulance delays, increase reception capacity at treatment centres and improve public understanding of how care facilities operate.
WHO's daily update published on 10 August, using DRC data as of 7 August, reported 4,209 confirmed cases and 1,916 confirmed deaths. The confirmed case-fatality ratio remained 46 percent.
The outbreak is spreading through communities already under severe pressure
Conflict, displacement, crowded settlements and limited access to clean water and health care complicate surveillance, isolation, treatment and safe burials.
Health care
Facilities need infection prevention, protective equipment, trained staff and safe patient pathways to protect workers and communities.
Community trust
Rapid, respectful communication can reduce delays in seeking care and help families understand testing, isolation and treatment procedures.
Displacement
Crowded living conditions and disrupted services increase exposure risks and make contact tracing more difficult.
Response financing
Sustained funding is required for surveillance, transport, treatment, safe burials, logistics and community engagement.
How the Ebola emergency has developed
WHO funds expanded community evidence work
WHO announces a US$3 million Wellcome grant to integrate community-generated evidence into outbreak decisions and expand rapid assessments.
Daily update records 4,209 confirmed cases
WHO reports 1,916 confirmed deaths, a 46 percent confirmed case-fatality ratio, 828 recoveries and 198 suspected cases in the DRC.
WHO describes the largest Ebola outbreak recorded in DRC
WHO records 3,605 confirmed cases and 1,587 deaths, with 49 affected health zones across five provinces.
Infection prevention expands across health facilities
WHO says teams have supported more than 900 health facilities and trained more than 1,000 health workers.
Cases span five provinces and 46 health zones
WHO reports 2,124 confirmed DRC cases and 828 deaths using data through 15 July.
Outbreak declared an international public health emergency
WHO determines that the Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak constitutes a public health emergency of international concern.
Control depends on fast detection, safe care and public trust
Health authorities and partners will continue combining epidemiological surveillance with evidence about barriers to care and community experience.
Improve access
Reducing ambulance delays and increasing treatment-centre reception capacity can help patients reach care sooner.
Strengthen surveillance
Community-based reporting and contact tracing remain essential to finding cases and interrupting chains of transmission.
Protect health workers
Training, infection prevention and psychosocial support are needed as health workers manage sustained occupational risk.
Maintain clear communication
Timely laboratory results and reliable public information can build trust and reduce harmful delays.
Information used in this report
World Health Organization; WHO Regional Office for Africa; DRC Ministry of Health surveillance; Uganda Ministry of Health; and World Food Programme.