Health officials in the Democratic Republic of the Congo are warning that the latest Ebola outbreak is spreading at an alarming rate, with nearly 750 suspected cases and 177 suspected deaths reported since late April. The outbreak, the country's 17th, began in Bunia, capital of Ituri province, and has overwhelmed local hospitals.
“Every health facility they called said: ‘We’re full of suspect cases. We don’t have any space,’” said Trish Newport, an emergency programme manager at Médecins Sans Frontières, describing the situation at Bunia’s Salama hospital. The virus has a mortality rate of between 25% and 90% and spreads through body fluids.
Several factors are complicating the response, including a new strain for which no approved treatment or vaccine exists, ongoing conflict in the region, and cultural practices around burials and physical contact. Aid groups also face significant budget shortfalls due to cuts in foreign aid, particularly from the United States.
Two incidents this week highlighted the challenges: an attack by the Allied Democratic Forces killed at least 17 people near Mambasa, and a crowd set fire to a treatment centre in Rwampara after authorities refused to release a victim's body for traditional burial. Authorities have since banned funeral wakes and limited public gatherings to 50 people.
“The speed at which this Ebola outbreak is spreading is deeply worrying,” said Rose Tchwenko, DRC country director at Mercy Corps. “The risk of wider spread is real, and more regional and global support is urgently needed.”
