Ebola Outbreak in Congo Escalates as WHO Raises Risk Level
BUNIA, Congo — The head of the World Health Organization reported on Friday that the Ebola outbreak in Congo is rapidly expanding and now presents a “very high” risk. This alarming situation is compounded by a shortage of medical resources and rising frustration within the local population, particularly in a region already grappling with conflict.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus mentioned that while the risk of the virus spreading globally remains low, the agency is increasing its evaluation of the situation in Congo from “high” to “very high.” Currently, there are 82 confirmed cases and seven reported deaths, although officials believe the actual outbreak could be significantly more extensive, with nearly 750 suspected cases and around 177 suspected fatalities.
Efforts to deliver supplies to Ituri province, where the outbreak has persisted for several weeks, are underway. The region has seen many people displaced due to ongoing armed conflict.
Local Customs Clash with Medical Response
On Thursday, an Ebola treatment center in Rwampara was set ablaze by local youth, upset after being denied access to retrieve the body of a friend who reportedly died from the disease. Authorities wish to manage burials carefully, given that Ebola victims’ bodies can be highly infectious.
Julienne Lusenge, who leads a local aid group, expressed that much of the community’s anger stems from misinformation. “We’ve endured years of conflict, and it’s easy for rumors to take hold,” she noted. Some religious groups have even propagated the notion that the outbreak is a hoax, suggesting that divine protection renders medical intervention unnecessary.
Aid Efforts Underway, but Resources are Scarce
In response to the crisis, the United Nations has allocated $60 million from its Central Emergency Response Fund to expedite measures both in Congo and neighboring areas. Additionally, the U.S. has committed $23 million for efforts in Congo and Uganda, including plans to set up as many as 50 Ebola treatment facilities. However, Ugandan officials stated they had not yet seen any U.S.-run treatment centers come to fruition.
Lusenge mentioned that her organization’s small hospital near Bunia is lacking essential protective gear, which puts health workers at risk as they screen patients before sending them to larger treatment centers. “We have requested help from various partners, but nothing substantial has come through,” she explained. “All we have are a few masks and some hand sanitizer; we need so much more.”
Potential for More Cases as Surveillance Improves
Both the WHO and the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suspect that the outbreak’s scale is bigger than the reported figures. “I anticipate the number of cases will rise as we improve surveillance,” said Africa CDC Director-General Jean Kaseya. Experts also highlight that the already weak health system has deteriorated further due to cuts in international aid.
The ongoing armed conflict complicates the response, with over 920,000 people displaced in Ituri province alone, according to the U.N. Recently, militants affiliated with the Islamic State are reported to have killed at least 17 individuals in a village in Ituri.
“The outbreak can still be controlled, but time is running out,” warned Gabriela Arenas from the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. “What unfolds in the next several days — at home, in the community, and across borders — will be critical.”
