Disaster... WHO: The true number of Ebola cases in Congo may be four times higher than reported.
Written by: Ayman Ragab
The World Health Organization's Health Emergencies Programme Executive Director, Chikwe Ihekweso, confirmed from Geneva on Tuesday that the actual number of Ebola infections in the Democratic Republic of Congo may be higher than official figures, likely ranging from two to four times the reported cases.
So far, laboratory tests have confirmed more than 1,900 infections, while the death toll has exceeded 700.
Ihekweso explained, upon returning from a visit to the affected area, that the biggest challenge is that most of the deaths occurred inside homes, not in health facilities.
Family members can easily contract the infection while caring for patients.
He added that family members could easily catch the infection while caring for patients at home without using protective equipment, noting that 4 out of 5 new infections are not among the contacts of confirmed cases, which reflects the existence of chains of transmission of the virus that have not been detected.
He also warned that the World Health Organization had received only 40% of the total funding required, amounting to $115 million, to cover the needs of the first six months, stressing that the Democratic Republic of Congo urgently needs more support.
