More than 130 days into the Ebola outbreak in DR Congo, health officials report the first encouraging signs of progress. Over the last three weeks, infections fell by about 26 percent in Ituri province and 15 percent in Haut Uele. However, North Kivu recorded a 73 percent increase during the same period. The virus has now been confirmed in seven provinces, and the death toll has passed 3,700. Officials warn that the outbreak is still not under control.
One of the biggest concerns is late detection. Around one in three new cases is only identified after the patient has died in the community. Each of those deaths raises the risk of further transmission, especially through traditional burial practices. Children under five face the highest danger, with a fatality rate above 60 percent compared with about 40 percent among adults. On the positive side, teams now trace almost 88 percent of contacts of infected people.