The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a warning that the latest Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo began at least three months before its official declaration, indicating that health authorities are struggling to keep pace with the virus. This outbreak, caused by the Bundibugyo species of Ebola, has resulted in over 1,900 deaths since it was declared on May 15, making it the second-worst Ebola epidemic on record.
Dr. Mohamed Janabi, WHO Africa director, stated that the virus is spreading faster than containment efforts can manage. Research suggests the outbreak started in February and was initially misdiagnosed as malaria or typhoid. This delay in identification has allowed the virus to spread unchecked.
Insecurity in the eastern region of the Democratic Republic of Congo, the epicenter of the outbreak, has further hampered control efforts. "We are chasing the virus, the virus is ahead of us," Dr. Janabi remarked during a news conference in Bunia.
Compounding the challenges, there are no approved vaccines or recognized therapeutic drugs for the Bundibugyo species, making treatment more difficult. Health workers are currently reaching only about 30% of the cases, with many infected individuals dying at home, according to WHO. Traditional burial practices and a community-wide suspicion of health authorities have also contributed to the difficulties in controlling the spread.
Despite these obstacles, efforts are being made to improve the situation. Several dedicated treatment centers are now operational in eastern DR Congo, and diagnosis times have improved. To date, the DR Congo health ministry has reported 4,294 confirmed cases and 1,960 deaths. The largest Ebola outbreak on record occurred in West Africa between 2014 and 2016, causing 11,325 fatalities.