Ebola Spreads to Eighth Province in Congo Amidst Growing Outbreak
Authorities report two cases, including one death, in Nord-Ubangi province as the outbreak, declared in May, becomes the deadliest in Congo's history.
The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has reached an eighth province, Nord-Ubangi, health authorities announced Sunday. The spread continues to outpace response efforts in what is now the world's fastest-growing Ebola outbreak on record.
Nord-Ubangi province, which borders the Central African Republic, has recorded two cases of the disease, including one death. Both patients were men in their 20s from the Wapinda health zone, which is adjacent to Bas-Uele province, another area previously affected by Ebola.
Since the outbreak was declared in mid-May, authorities have documented at least 9,400 cases and over 4,500 deaths, making this the deadliest Ebola epidemic in Congo's history. The virus has also spread to neighboring countries, with Uganda having declared itself free of the disease and Kenya reporting its seventh case.
Mohamed Yakub Janabi, World Health Organization Regional Director for Africa, stated that while pockets of the disease are generally decreasing, it is unfortunately spreading geographically. He highlighted that a significant challenge is encouraging infected individuals to seek medical assistance, noting that some deaths occur within communities rather than at health centers.
To address this, health workers in the Wamba health zone in Haut-Uele province have implemented periodic home visits, as many people are hesitant to go to hospitals. Serge Ngalebato, an epidemiologist and field coordinator for the Wamba health zone, explained that Ebola is a community disease and cooperation is crucial for containment. He also pointed out that many cases are reported around mining areas, where constant population movement contributes to the spread.
Access to affected regions can be difficult due to poor roads and limited communication networks. Nord-Ubangi province is situated between Sud-Ubangi and Bas-Uele, provinces that recently saw the disease spread along the border with the Central African Republic. This region has experienced recurring armed violence, which has displaced thousands into Congolese border communities.
Ituri province in eastern Congo remains the epicenter, accounting for nearly three-quarters of confirmed cases across 66 affected health zones. In an effort to curb the spread, authorities in North Kivu province will implement a one-week ban starting Monday on people entering from Ituri. Additional measures include restrictions on the number of passengers in vehicles and the suspension of large public gatherings.
The outbreak is caused by the rare Bundibugyo virus, for which there is no approved vaccine or treatment. Factors fueling its spread include mass population movements, rebel violence, public mistrust, and challenging working conditions for frontline health workers.