The Democratic Republic of Congo is facing a devastating Ebola outbreak that has claimed 800 lives and infected 2,100 people, with health officials warning the virus is spreading through contact with dead bodies during funerals.
Outbreak Began in April
The outbreak started on April 24, with the first case involving a nurse who died and whose body was transported to her hometown. Congolese health minister Samuel Roger Kamba flagged this movement as a key factor in the rapid spread of the disease. The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) has raised concerns that bodies are being transported between districts, allowing the virus to reach new areas.
Funeral Practices Fuel Spread
Dr Andrew Mbala from the IOM stated: "If we don’t really manage the dead bodies well, if we don’t engage the community…then it means there will be more spread within the community." According to reports, two-thirds of Ebola deaths are occurring outside hospitals and clinics, making burials harder to control. The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention has also warned that funerals are a particular concern in the spread of the virus.
Contagious Nature of Ebola
Ebola is transmitted through direct contact with bodily fluids from infected people or animals. The virus initially presents with high fever, headaches, sore throat, and intense muscle and joint pain. The World Health Organization has classified this as the third-worst Ebola outbreak ever recorded, with 40 new cases reported per day.
