DR Congo Ebola deaths top 300 as control measures tightened

The death toll from the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has exceeded 300, as the country steps up control measures to contain the spread of the disease, according to the latest update released by the government Thursday.

The Ministry of Communications and Media said that 1,155 confirmed Ebola cases, including 304 deaths have been reported. A total of 138 patients had recovered, while 326 others were under care or isolation.

A confirmed Ebola case has been detected in a French doctor who had participated in the response in the Ituri province, the epicenter of the outbreak, the ministry said in a post on X, adding that health authorities of the two countries were closely monitoring the situation.

The DRC has imposed stricter travel rules for people returning from Ebola-affected areas as part of tightened control measures.

Under a decree signed by Health Minister Roger Kamba on Wednesday, health workers, laboratory staff and response teams returning from Ebola-hit areas must undergo 21 days of active health monitoring. During that period, domestic and international travel is prohibited.

Anyone who has stayed in an Ebola-affected province may travel abroad only after spending 21 days outside the affected area. All outbound international passengers are also required to complete a health declaration form issued by border health authorities, with airlines responsible for verifying compliance, according to the decree.

The outbreak, declared in mid-May, is caused by the Bundibugyo ebolavirus, for which no licensed vaccine or specific treatment is currently available.

Travel suspension in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia on Thursday suspended travel by its citizens to the DRC, Uganda and South Sudan, and halted the issuance of all types of visas and the entry of travelers from the three countries as a precaution against Ebola, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.

The suspension also applies to travelers arriving via third countries who have stayed in any of the three countries within 21 days before entering the kingdom, according to SPA.

Saudi Arabia's Public Health Authority said no confirmed or suspected Ebola cases have been recorded in the kingdom since its preventive measures were introduced.

Funds for response

The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) said on Thursday that the continental Ebola outbreak response and preparedness plan requires $1.4 billion.

"1.4 billion dollars is needed for the combined humanitarian and health aspects of the response," Africa CDC Director General Jean Kaseya said during an online press briefing. "If we don't have this, and if we don't resolve the humanitarian issue, we will not stop this outbreak."

Recalling a total of $910 million in Ebola-specific pledges announced by African states, key multilateral and bilateral partners during an African Union-led high-level meeting last week, Kaseya noted that only 13% of the pledged amount has been released to affected countries and operational response partners so far.

He said that early financing represents the most cost-effective public health investment, calling for an immediate release of pledged funds before the outbreak escalates into a wider regional crisis.

The Africa CDC, shortly after the outbreak was declared by the DRC on May 15, appealed for $319 million in financing to respond to the crisis.

As the outbreak expands, the Africa CDC and the World Health Organization have increased the financing requirement to $518 million to support African countries and operational partners in preparing for, rapidly detecting, and responding to the virus.