The recent outbreak of Ebola in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has resulted in more than 130 deaths, raising global health alarms. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared it an international emergency last Sunday.
Congo's Health Minister, Roger Kamba, reported "131 probable deaths" in the recent update. Meanwhile, Government spokesperson and Minister of Communication, Patrick Muyaya, announced 116 suspected deaths during a press briefing yesterday. WHO has confirmed 88 fatalities, including a case detected in Uganda that originated from the DRC.
"The epidemic has claimed the lives of 116 individuals," stated Muyaya. He expressed concern over the disease's spread to new areas, which poses a significant risk of further transmission in densely populated regions with high population movement.
The outbreak was officially declared on May 15 and marks the seventeenth occurrence of the virus in the DRC since its discovery in 1976. The epicenter is in the Ituri province, a conflict-ridden area in eastern Congo, where the virus began circulating in late April, complicating contact tracing efforts as it was identified over a month later.
The detected strain is the Bundibugyo variant, which lacks an approved vaccine or specific treatment, unlike the Zaire variant. Its fatality rate ranges between 25% and 40%, according to Doctors Without Borders. This is only the third outbreak of this variant, following those in Uganda between 2007 and 2008, and in the DRC in 2012.
The virus has already spread to Katwa in North Kivu and Nyankunde in Ituri, with confirmed cases in Kinshasa and Goma. Outside the DRC, Uganda reported two cases in Kampala, including a deceased 59-year-old Congolese man on May 14, and South Sudan detected a case near the Congo border.
International response was swift. Rwanda closed its border with the DRC; Kenya heightened health checks at airports and borders; Uganda deployed rapid response teams; and the East African Community urged its eight member states to enhance surveillance. The WHO dispatched 18 tons of medical supplies, while the Congolese government declared a state of emergency and provided seven additional tons with international partners' support.
The outbreak's control faces significant challenges. Over 100 armed groups, such as the Cooperative for the Development of the Congo (Codeco) and the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), affiliated with the Islamic State, operate in Ituri. This insecurity has led to over 273,000 internally displaced people, according to the UN, hindering health response efforts and promoting unsafe burial practices. At least four healthcare workers have died in the affected area, raising concerns about prevention protocol failures.
Muyaya urged the public to "strictly adhere to public health measures," advising frequent handwashing and avoiding contact with dead animals and corpses. The WHO warned that the outbreak is "potentially much larger" than detected so far, as the virus circulated for weeks before identification, and cases have now reached the country's capital.
Key Questions About the Ebola Outbreak in Congo
What is the fatality rate of the Bundibugyo strain?
The Bundibugyo strain's fatality rate ranges between 25% and 40%, according to Doctors Without Borders.
What are the main challenges in controlling the outbreak in Ituri?
Control efforts are hindered by the presence of over 100 armed groups in Ituri, leading to insecurity and over 273,000 internally displaced people, which complicates health response and promotes unsafe burial practices.
How has the international community responded to the outbreak?
International response included Rwanda closing its border with the DRC, Kenya increasing health checks, Uganda deploying rapid response teams, and the East African Community urging enhanced surveillance. The WHO sent 18 tons of medical supplies.