Ebola outbreak worsens in DR Congo, over 3,600 cases reported

The Ebola outbreak caused by the Bundibugyo virus in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is getting worse. As of July 30, there are 3,605 confirmed cases and 1,587 deaths.

In an update released on Saturday, the World Health Organisation (WHO) warned that ongoing transmission and the disease spreading to new areas are fueling what is now the largest Ebola outbreak the country has ever seen.

The agency said the quick rise in cases and deaths shows the urgent need to increase response efforts.

Outbreak spreads to five provinces

WHO noted that the outbreak started in the Mongbwalu Health Zone in Ituri Province but has grown a lot over the last two months.

The virus has now spread to five provinces: Ituri, North Kivu, South Kivu, Haut-Uélé, and Tshopo, affecting 49 health zones in total.

In epidemiological week 30, the outbreak hit a peak with 567 confirmed cases and 296 deaths reported.

“The continued increase in cases, expanding geographic spread, and persistently high mortality show the rapidly evolving nature of this public health emergency,” WHO said.

The organisation added that the quick growth of the outbreak shows that a big increase in response efforts is needed to control the situation.

Response efforts face challenges

The health agency reported that insecurity, people moving around, and frequent cross-border movements make response efforts harder and raise the risk of further spread in the area.

It pointed out that the Congolese government, WHO, and partners have stepped up surveillance, case management, contact tracing, community engagement, and other emergency measures.

But the agency said much more support is needed to keep up with the growing outbreak.

“National authorities in the DRC, working with WHO and partners, are implementing extensive response measures. However, a big increase in response activities is needed to get ahead of the outbreak,” the agency stated.

WHO added that a regional plan is in place to improve readiness and response efforts across African countries at risk.

Uganda ends its outbreak

Meanwhile, Uganda has officially declared an end to its Bundibugyo virus outbreak. This announcement came after 42 days without a new locally transmitted case.

According to WHO, Uganda’s Ministry of Health made the announcement on July 28, after the last locally transmitted patient left treatment on June 16.

The agency said the last imported case was confirmed on July 16 and was discharged after testing negative twice.

Following international guidelines, WHO will keep monitoring Uganda for another 42 days to ensure there are no hidden chains of transmission.

Even after declaring the outbreak over, WHO warned that Uganda is still at risk for new infections due to ongoing cases in the DRC.

The agency urged countries in the region to keep up strong surveillance, preparedness, and infection-prevention measures, especially in border areas where people frequently move.

Nigeria is on alert

As the situation worsens, Nigerian health officials are stepping up measures to prepare for a possible outbreak of the virus.

PREMIUM TIMES recently reported that the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) sees a high risk of Ebola entering Nigeria, even though there are no confirmed cases in the country.

The agency said the risk is high due to ongoing transmission in the DRC and nearby countries, international travel, and open land borders.

The NCDC has told states to boost surveillance, improve screening at entry points, enhance infection control in health facilities, and quickly detect and isolate suspected cases.

Memories of the 2014 outbreak

The rise of Ebola again in Central Africa brings back memories of Nigeria’s successful handling of the disease in 2014 when an infected Liberian-American man, Patrick Sawyer, brought the virus to Lagos.

Health experts have warned that the current outbreak in the DRC is different because it involves the Bundibugyo strain, unlike the Zaire strain from the 2014 epidemic.

Unlike the Zaire strain, there is no licensed vaccine or approved treatment for Bundibugyo virus disease. This makes early detection and strong public health measures even more important.