Ebola Outbreak in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo

Hélène Akilimali is taking all necessary precautions to avoid getting Ebola, such as wearing a face mask in public. However, her job as a cocoa seller in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)—which is at the center of the current outbreak—means she interacts daily with various customers. Some of them seem to question the existence of the disease, which is understandably concerning for her.

“Ebola is a real disease. People need to stop deluding themselves,” Akilimali stressed, highlighting the dangers of misinformation and relaxed attitudes that could lead to dire consequences.

She explained to a CNN journalist, “I always wear my face mask. But the customers? Well, some might wear them, and some might not.” It’s not really feasible to refuse service based on their choices.

Residents in the Ituri and North Kivu provinces, greatly affected by this outbreak, say they are not only dealing with slow response times but also facing health misinformation and a casual approach to masks within their communities.

Élie Ilunga, living in Bunia—the capital of Ituri Province—said, “Seeing people die has changed our perception. We once thought it was a joke, but now it’s painfully real.”

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that at least 177 deaths are now associated with this Ebola outbreak, which has already led to nearly 750 suspected cases. Initially traced back to a rural area, the outbreak has spread to urban locations including Bunia and Goma. Uganda has also reported five confirmed cases and two fatalities.

Recently, the WHO increased the risk assessment, labeling it “very high” within the DRC and “high” regionally. They cautioned that the number of cases could continue to rise since the virus had time to circulate before detection.

Ilunga added, “Those who doubt it likely haven’t faced loss themselves or haven’t had their families affected.” He emphasized that he’s set up preventive measures at home and urges others to recognize the serious threat.

On Thursday, tensions escalated in Ituri when the family of a young man who succumbed to Ebola attempted to forcibly take his body from Rwampara Hospital. This resulted in protestors setting fire to the health facility, destroying several tents.

As a response, local authorities announced restrictions on public gatherings and banned wakes to curb further spread.

Health officials expressed concern over traditional funeral practices, which can quickly transmit the virus since the bodies of Ebola victims are notably infectious. A community mobilizer in Bunia pointed out that local customs, where mourners touch the deceased, may have exacerbated infection rates.

WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus noted the importance of building trust within affected communities as a top priority. He reassured that maintaining essential services is crucial in the fight against the outbreak.

Complicating the situation further, the region is marked by conflict, with around two million people displaced. Inadequate healthcare infrastructure has long plagued eastern DRC, and the strain of the virus causing this outbreak is not mitigated by any approved vaccine or treatment.

Some aid workers voiced concerns that cuts to funding from the US Agency for International Development (USAID) before the outbreak have hampered response efforts. Yet, a State Department official refuted these claims, asserting that the changes have not hindered their work.

Greg Ramm, the DRC country director for Save the Children, mentioned that their teams are collaborating with local authorities to provide necessary supplies, albeit funding for humanitarian efforts is considerably less than it used to be.

“We are playing catch-up. Health resources are limited,” Ramm remarked. “It’s crucial to implement basic infection control measures in health centers.”

He further noted, “Our goal is to keep health centers operational so that sick individuals—whether they have Ebola or other ailments—will seek help. The last thing we need is a health system collapse.”

Experts are worried that if people begin to fear visiting hospitals for other illnesses, like malaria or measles, the death toll could increase dramatically. Children under five, in particular, are at risk from malaria, according to WHO officials.

Doctors in the region are urging the public to avoid physical contact with anyone suspected of having Ebola, to steer clear of unnecessary touch, and to refrain from handling dead animals.

“Each individual must adopt a preventive mindset to help break the infection chain,” advised Dr. Mwarabu Hugue.

President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda has called on citizens to refrain from shaking hands, while indicating that most cases remain in the DRC. The WHO described the situation in Uganda as “stable” on Friday.

The head of Africa CDC also mentioned that efforts are being intensified to ensure medicines for treatment are available while emphasizing the ongoing work towards vaccine development.

“It may take us several months to finalize the vaccine,” Dr. Jean Kaseya, Africa CDC Director-General, commented. “Anyone saying otherwise isn’t being truthful—it will take some time.”

Aline Kitambala Masika, a Bunia resident from North Kivu Province, expressed hope that people will start to see the importance of protective measures.

“Ebola devastated my whole family,” she lamented.