Ebola Outbreak in DRC Could Be More Severe Than Previous Epidemics

The ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) may surpass the deadliest outbreak recorded, which resulted in over 11,000 deaths, according to the director of Africa’s Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).

Current government statistics indicate that confirmed cases in the DRC have risen to 837, with 196 fatalities reported as of Tuesday.

During a virtual meeting with African leaders and international donors in Burundi, Africa CDC Director-General Jean Kaseya expressed concern, stating, “If we don’t stop the outbreak very soon, it will be worse than what we had in West Africa and eastern DRC.”

Kaseya further mentioned that numerous individuals potentially exposed to the virus remain untraced and uncontacted. “The contact tracing is a major indicator and a major issue. We are missing more than 26,000 people, and we don’t know where they are, and we don’t know if they are contaminating other people,” he told Al Jazeera.

A representative from the Red Cross added that the epidemic hasn’t reached its peak yet. “We are afraid that this could last one year to end this disease,” said Bruno Michon, operations manager for the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.

The response efforts face significant challenges, including a shortage of treatment centers and community resistance to necessary hygiene protocols. Health officials emphasized that the true extent of the outbreak remains unclear, more than a month after it was officially declared.

Post-mortem, the bodies of Ebola victims are particularly infectious, and unsafe burial practices—where family members handle remains without proper protective gear—are significant contributors to the virus’s spread.

So far, less than 20% of the $518 million sought to enhance containment efforts has been raised, as noted by Burundi’s President Evariste Ndayishimiye, who also leads the African Union. This financial shortfall worries authorities, who fear devastating consequences if the outbreak isn’t controlled promptly.

Currently, there is no approved treatment or vaccine for this particular strain of Ebola. The World Health Organization (WHO) indicated that it may take up to nine months for a vaccine to be developed.

Additionally, neighboring Uganda has reported 19 cases, with 14 involving individuals who had traveled from the DRC. The country has also confirmed two deaths.