As the world continues to grapple with the coronavirus pandemic, reports indicate that the number of cases of Ebola in western DR Congo has reached 100, a nearly two-fold increase in a little over five weeks. The World Health Organisation (WHO) said in a statement that the latest Ebola outbreak, DR Congo’s eleventh, was declared on June 1, in Equateur Province. A cluster of cases was initially detected in Mbandaka, the provincial capital. The outbreak has since spread to 11 of the province’s 17 health zones. Of the 100 cases reported so far, 96 are confirmed and four are probable. Forty-three people have lost their lives, reads part of the WHO statement. Logistical challenges The outbreak presents significant logistical challenges, WHO added. “With affected communities spanning large distances in remote and densely-forested areas of the province, which straddles the Equator. At its widest points, the outbreak is spread across approximately 300 km both from east to west and from north to south. As noted, it can take days to reach affected populations, with responders and supplies often having to traverse areas without roads, necessitating long periods of riverboat travel. An Ebola outbreak occurred in the same province in May 2018 and was contained in less than three months with 54 cases and 33 deaths recorded. “With 100 Ebola cases in less than 100 days, the outbreak in Equateur Province is evolving in a concerning way,” said Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO’s Regional Director for Africa. “The virus is spreading across a wide and rugged terrain which requires costly interventions and with Covid-19 draining resources and attention, it is hard to scale-up operations.” Covid-19 not only emergency needing robust support On February 12, it was the unanimous view of the International Health Regulations (IHR) Emergency Committee that Ebola virus disease outbreak in the country still constitutes a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC). The Committee acknowledged the revised risk assessment, which puts the risk now as high at national and regional levels, and low at the global level. According to the WHO, the current response is underfunded, adding challenges to the existing logistical barriers. The WHO initially provided $ 1.7 million and subsequently supplemented this with another $ 600, 000 from its contingency fund for emergencies. The DR Congo Ministry of Health, it is noted, Presented an integrated plan to donors and partners for about $40 million and committed $4 million. There is a critical need for additional support. “Without extra support, the teams on the ground will find it harder to get ahead of the virus,” said Dr Moeti. “Covid-19 is not the only emergency needing robust support. As we know from our recent history we ignore Ebola at our peril.” The majority of the responders have been mobilized locally under the leadership of the DR Congo Government. It is noted that there are currently 90 WHO experts on the ground, as well as experts from nearly 20 partner organizations supporting the response. Since the beginning of the outbreak, WHO has, among other things, supported the ring vaccination of more than 22, 600 people at high risk. Along with its partners, the UN health agency helped to screen more than 640 000 people across 40 points of control that were set up to help keep travellers safe when crossing into an affected area.
