Congo’s authorities report that the number of suspected Ebola cases has now exceeded 900 in the ongoing outbreak affecting the eastern part of the country.
On Sunday, the Congolese ministry of communication shared on X that there are 904 suspected cases along with 119 suspected fatalities.
Previously, officials had indicated that over 700 suspected cases and around 170 suspected deaths had been recorded, primarily in the Ituri province, which is at the heart of the crisis.
The World Health Organization has assessed that the outbreak presents a “very high” risk within the Democratic Republic of Congo, though the potential for it to spread beyond its borders remains low.
Health authorities are grappling with significant barriers as they attempt to control the outbreak, which has been classified as a global health emergency.
Recently, there were arson incidents targeting Ebola treatment facilities in the east, with two centers attacked last week. This violence reflects the frustration of residents in a region already plagued by conflict involving armed groups, significant population displacement, ineffective local governance, and cuts to international aid that have weakened healthcare resources.
Colin Thomas-Jensen, director of impact at the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative, suggested that such attacks might stem from a deep-seated anger and distrust among the local populace, fueled by years of instability and a perceived failure of their government and peacekeeping forces.
This anger is also partly directed at the stringent burial protocols for suspected Ebola victims. Authorities are trying to manage burials to limit disease spread during traditional funerals, where families usually prepare the bodies and gatherings can easily escalate.
One incident involved the burning of a treatment center in Rwampara, reportedly initiated by young men who were trying to recover a friend’s body. Witnesses stated that the crowd accused the foreign aid group there of dishonesty regarding the Ebola situation.
As a response to the surge in cases, authorities in north-eastern Congo have prohibited funeral wakes and gatherings beyond 50 individuals, with armed security now overseeing some burials handled by aid organizations.
This eastern region has faced persistent threats from various rebel groups, with some affiliations to foreign nations or extremist factions like ISIS.
While parts of the region are currently under the control of the Rwanda-backed M23 rebels, the government still maintains a fragile hold over Ituri, the epicenter of the outbreak. The Allied Democratic Forces, linked to ISIS, remain a dominant force in the area and commit frequent assaults on civilian populations.
Before this outbreak, Doctors Without Borders highlighted that the situation in Ituri had deteriorated significantly, driving away many healthcare workers and leading to overwhelmed medical facilities amid dire conditions.
The UN’s humanitarian office estimates nearly one million individuals have been uprooted due to conflict in Ituri.
This context means the Ebola outbreak is developing amidst communities already battling insecurity, displacement, and feeble healthcare systems, stated Gabriela Arenas, a regional coordinator at the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.
There are fears the disease may spread to large displacement camps near Bunia, where the initial cases were recorded.
Health experts point to recent cuts in international aid from wealthier nations as particularly damaging for eastern Congo, stating it has hampered the ability to address infectious disease outbreaks.
According to Thomas McHale, public health director at Physicians for Human Rights, the cuts “reduced the capacity to detect and respond to infectious disease outbreaks.” Congo has a history of over a dozen Ebola outbreaks.
On the ground, aid organizations tackling this outbreak are lacking critical resources like protective gear for health workers, testing supplies, and safe burial materials, all essential for managing this highly infectious disease.
“We have made requests to different partners, but have not yet really received anything,” Julienne Lusenge, president of Women’s Solidarity for Inclusive Peace and Development, noted, highlighting the struggles at their small hospital near Bunia.
“We only have hand sanitizers and a few masks for the nurses,” she mentioned, reflecting on the dire situation.
Notably, the specific strain of the Ebola virus involved in this outbreak, the Bundibugyo type, currently has no available vaccine or treatment.
