Ebola Virus Claims Lives of Three Red Cross Volunteers

Three volunteers from the Red Cross have tragically passed away, believed to have contracted the Ebola virus while on a humanitarian mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in March.

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) reported that at the time of their intervention, the local community was unaware of the Ebola outbreak, which had not yet been identified. They are among the first known victims of this outbreak.

The volunteers have been named as Alikana Udumusi Augustin, Sezabo Katanabo, and Ajiko Chandiru Viviane. Viviane succumbed to the virus on May 5, followed by Katanabo on May 15, and Augustin shortly after on May 16.

According to the IFRC, they likely contracted the virus while “carrying out dead body management activities” on March 27 as part of a mission unrelated to Ebola. All three were volunteers with Congo’s Red Cross, stationed in the Mongbwalu branch located in Ituri province, which is currently the epicenter of the outbreak.

The IFRC expressed its deepest condolences to the families of the volunteers, highlighting that they lost their lives while serving their communities with bravery and compassion.

Virus Spreads to Uganda

The World Health Organization declared that the outbreak, which started in Congo and has now crossed into Uganda, is a public health emergency of international concern as of May 17.

Recently, there have been 746 suspected cases reported in Congo, along with 176 deaths among these cases, according to the WHO. So far, at least 88 cases have been confirmed, which includes 10 deaths, with one occurring in Uganda.

Among the confirmed cases is an American surgeon, who became infected while working in Congo. He was evacuated to Germany earlier this week for medical treatment.

As of now, the WHO has confirmed two cases in Uganda. Uganda’s Ministry of Health announced that the number of cases there had increased to five. The new cases include a Ugandan driver, a health worker who was exposed to the first confirmed case, and a Congolese woman entering Uganda with mild abdominal symptoms. All are currently receiving treatment.

‘Worrisome’ Outbreak

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus described the outbreak in Congo as “deeply worrisome.” He noted that while numbers are changing due to improved surveillance and lab testing, violence and insecurity are hindering response efforts.

Aid and personnel have been dispatched to Congo from various regional and international partners, including the WHO and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The U.S. State Department has mobilized $23 million in foreign assistance to assist with the outbreak response.

This outbreak is driven by a strain of Ebola known as Bundibugyo, which causes hemorrhagic fever and currently has no approved vaccines or treatments available.

The CDC recently issued a directive barring entry to foreign nationals who have been in Congo, Uganda, or South Sudan within the last 21 days. U.S. citizens and permanent residents entering from these areas are permitted entry but must go through enhanced health screening at designated airports.

Thus far, the CDC reports no suspected or confirmed cases of Ebola from this outbreak have been recorded in the U.S.