Ebola Outbreak in DR Congo Kills at Least 131 People

An Ebola outbreak that began in the Democratic Republic of Congo has killed at least 131 people and prompted health authorities to expand investigations. Officials said more than 513 cases were suspected in DR Congo as of Tuesday. One person has died in neighboring Uganda. The outbreak has also reached the province of South Kivu and the city of Goma.

Ancia told the BBC that continued investigations show cases have spread to other areas. Modeling by the London-based MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis released on Monday indicated substantial under-detection and could not rule out more than 1,000 cases.

WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, who declared the outbreak an international emergency last week, said he was deeply concerned about the scale and speed of the epidemic.

The outbreak may have been ongoing for several weeks before it was first detected on 24 April. There is no vaccine for the Bundibugyo strain involved, though the WHO is evaluating other drugs for possible protection. High levels of insecurity in several provinces have increased population movement and the risk of further spread.

Several African countries have tightened border screenings and prepared health facilities. Rwanda has closed its borders with DR Congo. An American citizen is being evacuated from DR Congo after developing symptoms. U.S. citizen was being taken to the country for treatment.

U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said it was working to evacuate at least six other Americans who were exposed.