Arabic version: تفشي الإيبولا في جمهورية الكونغو الديمقراطية يثير الإنذارات مع زيارة رئيس منظمة الصحة العالمية
According to BBC News,
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) is facing an alarming Ebola outbreak, according to Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), which reported a rapid increase in suspected cases. MSF Deputy Director Dr. Alan Gonzales noted that the current outbreak has recorded more cases in a shorter timeframe than any previous incidents. The situation has drawn the attention of the World Health Organization (WHO), with its chief, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, visiting the worst-hit area in Ituri province to assess the response efforts.
As of now, there are more than 1,000 suspected Ebola cases in the DR Congo, with at least 246 deaths reported. In neighboring Uganda, nine confirmed cases and one death have been recorded. MSF emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating that new suspected cases are being reported daily, while hundreds of samples remain untested. Gonzales highlighted significant delays in containment efforts due to border and airport closures, exacerbated by ongoing conflict in the region.
During his visit, Dr. Tedros urged local communities to take an active role in combating the disease. He acknowledged the cultural importance of honoring the deceased but warned against practices that could facilitate the virus’s spread. Public health measures are being implemented in Bunia, where handwashing stations have been set up and health advisories are disseminated in both local languages and French.
Dr. Tedros also visited the National Institute for Biomedical Research laboratory, which has improved its testing capabilities, providing results within 24 hours. This advancement aims to expedite the identification of infections and treatment initiation, addressing previous delays caused by long transport times to the capital, Kinshasa. The current outbreak involves a rare strain of Ebola known as Bundibugyo, which lacks a proven vaccine and has a mortality rate of approximately one-third among those infected.
In a related development, health officials in Brazil are investigating a suspected Ebola case involving a man who recently returned from DR Congo, highlighting the outbreak’s potential for international implications.
