Health officials report that the number of casualties has nearly doubled compared to last week, rising from 16, with the deadly disease spreading fast as more than 900 contacts have already been traced, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
The WHO confirmed on Thursday that 31 out of 38 Ebola cases have resulted in deaths in southern Congo, where authorities are battling a fresh outbreak of the virus.
Vaccination efforts began in the affected region on Sunday.
“Over 500 health workers and identified contacts have so far received the vaccine, giving them vital protection,” said Dr. Patrick Otim, an official with WHO Africa’s program.
Congolese authorities declared a new Ebola outbreak on September 5th in Bulape, a locality in the Kasai region of south central Congo, near the border with Angola.
