July 16, 16:27

WHO warns that the Ebola outbreak in DRC is the fastest recorded so far

The Director-General of the WHO, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, informed the press in Geneva, Switzerland, that the current Ebola outbreak represents the third largest epidemic in history, characterized by spreading faster than any previous event.

Epidemic Data and Comparisons

So far, 2,003 cases have been registered, resulting in 796 deaths. Tedros compared this scenario to the 2018 epidemic in the DRC, which took more than ten months to reach the mark of 2,000 confirmed cases. This previous epidemic was the deadliest in the country, causing approximately 2,300 deaths among the 3,500 patients diagnosed between 2018 and 2020.

The WHO's main concern lies in the spread of the disease in the Ituri province, located in northeastern DRC, which is the epicenter of this 17th epidemic. It has been observed that over 80% of new cases are being detected outside known contact records, indicating that transmission chains are escaping the surveillance system.

Additionally, it was pointed out that about two-thirds of deaths occur in communities, affecting individuals who never received care at a health facility.

Public Health Progress

Despite the challenges, Tedros mentioned significant advances, such as the expansion of hospitalization capacity, which now exceeds 800 beds and continues to grow. There has also been an increase in screening resources, with 60 laboratories established, and the contact monitoring rate has risen to about 80%.

Research and Treatments

Currently, there is no vaccine or treatment available for the Bundibugyo variant of the Ebola virus responsible for the current crisis. However, the WHO started clinical trials at the beginning of the month for two treatments: the monoclonal antibody MBP134 and the antiviral remdesivir, which can be used alone or in combination. Furthermore, this week, the first safety test of the ChAdOx1 vaccine, coordinated by the University of Oxford, United Kingdom, began. Another clinical trial started on Tuesday to evaluate the efficacy of post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) using the antiviral obeldesivir in people exposed to confirmed Bundibugyo cases.

Recovery and Geographic Context

The WHO Director-General assured that even without approved vaccines or treatments, 377 people have recovered, demonstrating that the disease can be controlled and its spread halted with early diagnosis and adequate medical care.

The DRC, a Central African country neighboring Angola, has been facing the epidemic caused by the rare Bundibugyo virus since May. The epidemic was officially declared in May in the Ituri province, a border area with Uganda and South Sudan. The outbreak has also spread to Uganda, which reported two deaths in 20 cases and recently announced that it no longer has infected patients.

The Bundibugyo strain has a fatality rate ranging between 30% and 50%, and the WHO classifies the risk of spread as high in Sub-Saharan Africa, although low globally. It is estimated that the virus began circulating in Ituri about two months before the official declaration, which occurred on May 17, when the epidemic was classified as a public health emergency of international concern. The virus is transmitted through direct contact with body fluids of infected animals or people, causing severe hemorrhagic fever, vomiting, diarrhea, and internal bleeding.

iol.co.zaJuly 17, 11:20

Ebola Epidemic in DRC Becomes Serious Test for African Healthcare

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has once again found itself at the center of one of Africa's most serious public health challenges. The number of confirmed Ebola cases has exceeded 2000, making this outbreak the fastest-growing in the country's history. More than 750 people have died, and hundreds of healthcare workers leading the response measures are threatening a full-scale strike due to months of delayed salaries.

Seriousness of the Epidemic and Its Spread

The figures raise serious alarm as the disease is spreading faster than authorities can localize it. The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that the epidemic is still in an expansion phase, and current resources and response capabilities are significantly insufficient for the needs of the situation.

Challenges Distinguishing the Current Outbreak

Although Africa has previously faced Ebola—for example, during devastating outbreaks in Sierra Leone, Liberia, and Guinea between 2014 and 2016, which claimed over 11,000 lives and undermined fragile health systems—the current situation in the DRC presents a different challenge. This outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, for which no vaccine has yet been approved. Experimental treatments are undergoing clinical trials, leaving medical personnel with a smaller arsenal of tools compared to previous outbreaks.

Impact of Conflict and Infrastructure

The situation is exacerbated by the fact that the outbreak is developing in eastern DRC, where armed conflict, mass displacement, and weak infrastructure complicate all aspects of the fight against the disease. More than 80 percent of new infections are linked to unknown transmission routes, making it difficult for health officials to pinpoint areas of viral spread and identify contacts.

The Problem of Underpaid Workers

One of the most overlooked aspects of the crisis is the growing dissatisfaction among frontline medical staff. Doctors, nurses, and support personnel are protesting the lack of pay despite working in one of the world's most dangerous environments. Some treatment centers have already experienced operational disruptions, raising concerns that larger strikes could further weaken containment efforts.

Regional Consequences for Africa

The consequences of this situation extend far beyond the DRC. As the country borders nine African nations, regional cooperation is crucial. Population movement through trade routes, refugee flows, and informal border crossings increases the risk of cross-border transmission. Uganda has already reported cases imported from this outbreak, prompting the WHO and the Africa Centre for Disease Control to strengthen regional preparedness.

Need for a Comprehensive Approach

An uncontrolled outbreak can also reduce tourism appeal, delay infrastructure projects, and increase the burden on already strained public health budgets in Central and East Africa. Investor confidence is closely tied to stability, and recurring health crises often increase perceived business risks in affected regions. Furthermore, public trust is vital. Ebola outbreaks are often accompanied by misinformation and fear, and communities that do not trust authorities may avoid testing, refuse treatment, or hide infected relatives, allowing the virus to spread unnoticed.

Response Strategy

Containing the outbreak will require more than emergency funding. Governments and regional bodies must ensure timely payment to healthcare workers, strengthen disease surveillance, and improve laboratory capacity before outbreaks escalate. The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention and the WHO have already launched a continental preparedness strategy, recognizing that infectious diseases require coordinated regional action, not isolated national measures. The Ebola outbreak in the DRC serves as a reminder that health security is inseparable from economic security and regional stability. Africa has learned valuable lessons from previous epidemics, but experience is insufficient without continuous investment in health systems.