Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC): Early access to care and oxygen decisive for Ebola patients’ survival – World Health Organization (WHO)

The number of confirmed Ebola cases has passed 8,000 for the first time since the current outbreak began, according to the Congolese authorities. “While we are beginning to see a reduction in transmission in some areas, the number of cases remains high for this outbreak,” Dr Janet Diaz of WHO ’s Health Emergencies Programme told reporters in Geneva. With 8,067 confirmed cases and 3,901 deaths, the case fatality rate is more than 48 per cent in 63 affected health zones in seven out of DRC's 26 provinces. “We know that for Ebola disease, early access to care can significantly improve chances of survival,” Dr Diaz said. “Yet in this outbreak, many people are still dying at home or in their communities because they are unable to reach health facilities on time.” The WHO medic recently returned from her second visit to the DRC since the current Ebola outbreak caused by the Bundibugyo virus was declared in May. She notably visited treatment centres in the epicentre of the epidemic, Bunia, capital of the Ituri province in the country’s northeast. “Delays in seeking care, together with challenges in access and referral, continue to complicate the response,” she said, adding that WHO and it