Malaria causes 39 deaths in six months in Manica province, according to official data

An Ebola outbreak in the DRC has resulted in the death of at least 189 children, according to data provided by the organization Save the Children. The epidemic was declared in the Congolese province of Ituri, located on the border with Uganda and South Sudan, which is the epicenter of the occurrence.

Impact on Children and Support Provided

To date, it is estimated that about 476 children have contracted the disease in the region. The deceased children account for approximately one-fifth of the total confirmed deaths in this outbreak. Save the Children is providing psychosocial support to over 4,000 children in Ituri, establishing safe spaces where they can rest, play, and begin to overcome feelings of fear, sadness, and anxiety.

Organization staff reported that the disease has altered the social interaction of these children, as many avoid physical contact and maintain distance from others. Furthermore, Save the Children warned that some children may require temporary care outside their homes, either because they have been separated from parents or guardians due to the disease, isolation, abandonment, or death.

Emotional Burden and Double Crisis

Babou Rukengeza, the NGO's Ebola response coordinator in the DRC, highlighted the great emotional weight carried by the children of Ituri, mentioning that many witnessed acts of violence, lost family members to the outbreak, or were forced to move repeatedly. He emphasized that the safe spaces provide an environment conducive for them to express their emotions, regain confidence, and return to living as children.

The organization stressed that this outbreak constitutes a 'second crisis' for many children who were already displaced by violence in eastern Congo, an area historically marked by conflicts between armed groups and the army. It was warned that prolonged stress during childhood can lead to lasting consequences on children's cognitive development, emotional well-being, and physical and mental health if adequate assistance is not provided.

Official Data and Virus Characteristics

According to the latest government bulletin, the Democratic Republic of Congo has recorded a total of 2,423 confirmed Ebola cases, with 967 deaths registered, establishing a fatality rate of 39.9%. The epidemic is linked to the Bundibugyo strain, whose mortality rate varies between 30% and 50%, and for which the World Health Organization (WHO) reports that there is no authorized vaccine or specific treatment. The WHO classifies the risk of the outbreak spreading in Sub-Saharan Africa as 'high' and globally as 'low.'

This event marks the third worst Ebola epidemic in history and the 17th affecting the Democratic Republic of Congo. The Ebola virus is transmitted through direct contact with the body fluids of infected people or animals and causes severe hemorrhagic fever, vomiting, diarrhea, and internal bleeding.