DAKAR, Senegal – Authorities in Congo have declared a new Ebola outbreak that has already resulted in the deaths of over a dozen individuals in the southern province of Kasai. The announcement was made following the confirmation of the presence of the Zaire strain of the virus, the most virulent strain known, at the National Institute for Biomedical Research in Kinshasa, the country's capital.
This outbreak emerges amidst ongoing, intensified conflict in the eastern regions of Congo, further stressing a healthcare system already weakened by recent cuts in U.S. aid. The Health Ministry reported the first confirmed case involved a 34-year-old pregnant woman from Boulapé in Mweka territory, who displayed symptoms consistent with hemorrhagic fever. She was admitted to a hospital last month but tragically died just hours later due to multiple organ failure.
So far, the outbreak has been linked to 15 fatalities among 28 individuals exhibiting symptoms, including four health workers. This marks the 16th occurrence of Ebola in Congo, with Health Minister Samuel-Roger Kamba warning that the estimated fatality rate is a concerning 53.6%, highlighting the severity of the situation. The World Health Organization (WHO) has indicated that the number of cases is likely to rise, emphasizing the ongoing nature of the transmission.
Dr. Jean Paul Mikobi, who serves as the chief medical officer of the Boulapé health zone, expressed concerns about a potential increase in infections. Many residents are fleeing their villages out of fear of contracting the virus, complicating the efforts to trace and monitor those who may become ill. Dr. Amitié Bukidi, head of the Mweka health zone, confirmed that all four health zones within the territory have reported suspected cases of Ebola.
The last Ebola outbreak in Congo took place in the northeastern Equateur province in 2022, resulting in six deaths. An earlier outbreak between 2018 and 2020 in eastern Congo was notably severe, with over 1,000 fatalities recorded. This period was the second-deadliest in the history of Ebola epidemics, following the devastating 2014-2016 outbreak in West Africa, which claimed more than 11,000 lives across Guinea, Sierra Leone, and Liberia. Ongoing volatile security conditions and a deep-rooted mistrust within communities have severely hampered efforts to control the spread of the virus in eastern Congo, where treatment centers have faced repeated attacks, forcing health officials to operate clinics amid ongoing threats.
To combat the disease's spread, health officials are urging the public to adhere to strict preventive measures, such as social distancing and regular handwashing. The WHO has deployed experts to Kasai province to enhance disease surveillance, treatment, and infection prevention within health facilities. They are also supplying crucial resources, including personal protective equipment, mobile laboratory equipment, and medicines. Congo is reportedly equipped with a stockpile of both treatments and the Ervebo Ebola vaccine.
Additionally, a team from the National Institute of Biomedical Research is aiding the response efforts by establishing a mobile laboratory to facilitate on-site testing of patient samples in the Mweka health zone. Despite these efforts, Dr. Bukidi noted significant challenges, including personnel shortages and a lack of personal protective equipment. Hospitals in the region also require essential medications and specialized equipment needed to manage this Ebola outbreak effectively.
In light of the growing crisis, Francois Mingambengele, the Mweka territory administrator, enacted partial confinement measures to curb the outbreak's spread. These measures include the suspension of classes and graduation ceremonies, along with closing weekly markets to limit public gatherings. As the situation develops, the international community remains watchful, ready to assist in any capacity necessary to aid the beleaguered healthcare system in Congo.
