DR Congo Ebola Outbreak Claims Over 5,000 Lives as Cases Spread to Eight Provinces

More than 5,000 people have died from an ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo), with over 10,300 confirmed cases recorded across eight of the country's 26 provinces, according to government data.

The outbreak, which began in May, became the deadliest in DR Congo's history in August. Health officials say the current case fatality rate stands at 48.6 per cent.

Ituri Remains the Epicentre

According to the country's health ministry, the Ituri province in north-eastern DR Congo remains the centre of the outbreak. The region's ongoing conflict has made it difficult for health workers to access affected communities and contain the spread of the virus.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has called for stronger disease-control measures, improved access to affected areas and increased community engagement to bring the outbreak under control.

Testing, treatment efforts and clinical trials of vaccines are ongoing. However, the current outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, for which no approved treatment or vaccine is currently available.

Ebola Cases Reported in Other African Countries

The outbreak has also raised concerns beyond DR Congo, with cases reported in neighbouring and other African countries, including Uganda, Kenya and Nigeria.

In Uganda, two people died and 20 cases were recorded shortly after the outbreak began. However, no new cases have been reported since August, although travel restrictions remain in place for people crossing from DR Congo.

Kenya has recorded nine confirmed cases and two deaths, while Nigeria's disease control centre has identified two suspected cases. The individuals have been isolated and are undergoing laboratory testing.

Nigeria had earlier confirmed one case in October involving a woman who was subsequently flown to Switzerland for further treatment. The two newly suspected cases have not yet been confirmed.

Attacks on Health Workers Complicate Response

Efforts to contain the outbreak have also been affected by attacks against health workers and individuals involved in public health campaigns.

Earlier this week, a nurse was killed and another health worker seriously injured while responding to an Ebola alert. The attack reportedly followed accusations by local youths that the workers were contaminating water sources and spreading the virus.

Last month, a politician was beaten to death after promoting measures to prevent the disease from spreading. The Red Cross also reported that volunteers had been injured and an ambulance set on fire during several violent incidents in the outbreak's first 100 days.

DR Congo Records Deadliest Outbreak in Its History

The United Nations describes the current epidemic as the 17th Ebola outbreak in DR Congo and the second-largest in history. It has already surpassed the country's previous deadliest outbreak, which killed 2,299 people between 2018 and 2020.

The deadliest Ebola epidemic globally occurred in West Africa between 2014 and 2016, claiming more than 11,325 lives and spreading to several countries, including Italy, the United Kingdom and the United States.

The WHO has warned that the current outbreak is claiming lives at a much faster rate, while the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control says the likelihood of infection in Europe remains very low.

Ebola is a severe viral disease transmitted through direct contact with the bodily fluids of infected people. Symptoms can include sudden illness, vomiting and diarrhoea, with severe cases potentially leading to organ failure and internal or external bleeding.

BBC News