The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is escalating rapidly, with the number of suspected cases tripling in just one week. On March 28, the WHO raised its risk assessment for the country to 'very high'.
According to the WHO, nearly 750 suspected cases and 177 suspected deaths have been reported, a sharp increase from 246 cases and 65 deaths recorded the previous week. WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus described the situation as 'extremely concerning'.
Amid the outbreak, on March 27, a group of local residents set fire to tents and medical supplies outside a hospital in Rwampara, Ituri province, as health workers were trying to establish an Ebola treatment center. Reports indicate the crowd was angry because they were not allowed to collect the body of a local man who died at the hospital. To prevent the spread of the disease, Ebola patient bodies must be buried under strict infection control protocols.
Dr. Tedros warned that 'significant mistrust of external authorities in local communities' is causing major difficulties for the response. 'Building trust in affected communities is key to a successful response, and this is one of our top priorities,' he said.
Dr. Anne Ancia, WHO representative in the DRC, stated that the incident in Rwampara would 'significantly harm' response operations there. She said the attacked treatment center was designed to isolate Ebola patients from others, and she hoped it could be operational again within 24 hours.
The current outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo virus strain, for which there is no specific vaccine or treatment. Most cases are concentrated in Ituri province, with a few recorded in other parts of the DRC and two cases in neighboring Uganda.
Despite the rapid increase in cases, officials suggest this could be a 'good sign' as case detection has improved. The number of positive laboratory tests has slightly decreased, indicating that many people with potential symptoms are being monitored. However, Dr. Ancia acknowledged: 'We are running behind, we have not yet been able to control the outbreak.'
While raising the risk level within the DRC, the WHO maintained its previous assessment of high risk at the regional level and low risk globally. Humanitarian organization representatives in Ituri said they lack sufficient resources for an adequate response. Dr. Amadou Bocoum, Care International's country director in the DRC, said last year's aid cuts have left 'the system unable to function effectively due to a lack of equipment,' compounded by staff shortages that hinder contact tracing. Julie Drouet, country director for Action Against Hunger, commented: 'People are trying to roll out the response as quickly as possible, but the reality is that it is not yet ready, not commensurate with the current emergency in Congo.'
At a WHO press conference, scientists also announced they had identified an antiviral drug, obeldesivir, capable of preventing contacts of Bundibugyo cases from developing the disease, and efforts are underway to establish trials in the affected area.
