The World Health Organization has acknowledged that the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo 'had a big head start, and we're still behind,' although testing capabilities are improving. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated on Wednesday that 'we are catching up' as diagnostic resources advance.
Current Case Numbers
According to Congolese authorities, there have been 344 confirmed cases, including 60 deaths, of the rare Bundibugyo strain of Ebola since the outbreak was declared in mid-May. The affected regions are the eastern provinces of Ituri, North Kivu, and South Kivu. The number of suspected cases has decreased from 906 to 116. In neighboring Uganda, the health ministry reported 15 confirmed cases and one death as of Tuesday.
Challenges in Response
The WHO chief sidestepped a question regarding a U.S. quarantine center in Kenya that has sparked protests, remarking that 'based on their risk assessment … they can do whatever they think is right for them.' Experts indicate that the virus had been spreading for weeks in one of the world's most vulnerable regions before being confirmed by lab tests. Resources, including protective gear, have been urgently deployed to combat a strain for which no approved medicine or vaccine exists. At least five individuals have recovered from the virus, offering rare signs of hope.
Difficulties in Assessing the Outbreak
Doctors Without Borders noted on Monday that 'the true extent of the outbreak remains difficult to assess. Extremely limited testing capacity and difficulties accessing certain areas necessitate interpreting these figures with caution.' Developing and deploying a potential vaccine could take months. Dr. Aruna Abedi, a Congolese epidemiologist who has managed previous outbreaks, told the Associated Press that 'it's difficult to have an effective vaccine that adheres to the scientific protocol available quickly.'
Contact Tracing Lags
While laboratory and diagnostic resources improve, Tedros highlighted that contact tracing in Congo is still insufficient. 'Only about 45% of contacts have been followed up, and to get ahead of the outbreak we need to get that number up to above 90%,' he said. 'Insecurity, displacement and mobile populations make contact tracing especially difficult.' Armed groups active in the region include the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group, which seized key cities Goma and Bukavu over a year ago, and the Allied Democratic Forces, an Islamic State-allied group operating along the Congo-Uganda border. Years of insecurity have created a large and vulnerable displaced population.
Community Mistrust
Wary residents have attacked health centers during the outbreak, sometimes demanding the bodies of loved ones. Health workers also face mistaken beliefs among some residents that Ebola is not real, which has deterred some from seeking care.
