The latest Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has reached a grim milestone, becoming the fastest growing in the history of the virus. With 3,360 confirmed cases and 1,487 deaths recorded, the disease has spread to five provinces in the east of the country, representing an overall case fatality rate of approximately 45%. The outbreak has been severely hampered by ongoing conflict in the affected areas.
The Bundibugyo strain of the virus has spread rapidly since it was officially declared by Congolese authorities on May 15. The numbers are approaching the previous worst toll, which occurred in 2018-2020 when 3,470 people in the DRC were infected. Prof Pierre Akilimali, in charge of the Ebola response, emphasizes that the disease continues to spread and that it is still difficult to predict when it will reach its peak.
The Congolese authorities have taken measures to limit the spread, including strengthening surveillance, building Ebola treatment centers, and setting up local laboratories for testing. However, Prof Akilimali stresses that the public must also play their part by seeking medical advice at the slightest suspicion of infection. He notes that cases continue to rise in the Bunia and Rwampara health zones, with between 100 and 150 new confirmed infections each week.
The outbreak has caused significant distress among the local population, with many living in fear. Annabelle Nissi, a clothing trader in Bunia, expressed her concerns, saying that the outbreak has disrupted lives and brought development projects to a standstill. Dr Justus Nsio, field incident manager for the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, notes that it is a race against time to contain the disease.
Clinical trials of a vaccine against the Bundibugyo strain began in early July, with about 20 people enrolled as of July 15. The trials are expected to last up to four months. Meanwhile, Uganda, which recently declared the Ebola outbreak over on its territory, has sent experts to the DRC to work alongside their Congolese counterparts, particularly in the border regions.
