Ebola tracing improves in DR Congo – but the virus is still winning the race

Health authorities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) are tracking a growing share of people exposed to Ebola, but the epidemic in the country's restive east continues to outpace their ability to find and isolate the sick, the World Health Organization (WHO) has warned.In its latest update, published Thursday, WHO said hidden chains of transmission are being fuelled by patients who reach advanced stages of the disease without ever receiving care. Deaths are still occurring outside health facilities and known transmission chains, while several treatment centres are now overwhelmed.“Transmission is occurring faster than case detection and isolation, while contact tracing capacities are increasingly strained,” WHO said.Spilling outwardThe outbreak remains heavily concentrated in Ituri province, which accounts for roughly 90 per cent of cases and 80 per cent of deaths. The Bunia–Rwampara–Mongbwalu–Nizi corridor remains the main axis of spread, but transmission is also continuing in neighbouring North Kivu, and cases are rising in Haut-Uélé. In all, 53 of 140 health zones across five affected provinces have now reported cases.Congolese authorities reported 4,449 confirmed cas...