The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has announced an Ebola outbreak in the eastern Ituri province of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
As of now, approximately 246 cases and 65 fatalities have been reported, primarily concentrated in the gold-mining towns of Mongwalu and Rwampara.
In response to this alarming situation today, Africa CDC is organizing a meeting with officials from DRC, neighboring Uganda and South Sudan, as well as other international partners to prioritize response strategies and enhance cross-border surveillance.
Ebola, first identified in 1976 in what is now the DRC, is believed to have originated from bats. This marks the 17th occurrence of the lethal viral disease in the country.
The virus spreads through direct contact with bodily fluids and can lead to severe bleeding and organ failure.
Initial symptoms include fever, muscle aches, fatigue, headaches, and sore throats, which can escalate to vomiting, diarrhea, rashes, and bleeding.
Currently, there is no established cure for Ebola, and the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates an average fatality rate of around 50%.
Preliminary tests at the Institut National de Recherche Biomédicale (INRB) in Kinshasa revealed the presence of the virus in 13 out of 20 analyzed samples.
These tests were conducted in collaboration with DRC’s Ministry of Health and National Public Institute. Further examinations are underway to determine the specific strain of the virus.
Of the reported 65 deaths, four were among confirmed cases, according to Africa CDC.
Additional suspected cases have emerged in Ituri’s provincial capital, Bunia, with laboratory results still pending.
The Africa CDC has expressed concern over the heightened risk of transmission due to the urban environments of Rwampara and Bunia, as well as ongoing mining activities in Mongwalu.
Executive Director of the Health Agency, Dr. Jean Kaseya, emphasized that “significant population movement” between affected regions and neighboring countries necessitates coordinated regional efforts.
Communities at risk have been urged to adhere to guidelines issued by national health authorities. The Congolese government has yet to officially declare an outbreak, however, a press conference is anticipated later today.
Since 2021, Ituri has been under military governance, with civilian leadership replaced by a military general to combat numerous armed groups operating in the region, including the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), which is linked to the Islamic State group.
Over the past five decades, approximately 15,000 individuals have succumbed to the virus across various African nations.
The deadliest outbreak in DRC occurred between 2018 and 2020, resulting in nearly 2,300 deaths.
Last year, an outbreak in the central Kasai province claimed 45 lives.
By: Magdalene Agyeiwaa Sarpong