Arabic version: تفشي الإيبولا في جمهورية الكونغو الديمقراطية ينتشر أسرع مما كان متوقعًا
According to BBC News,
An Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) has claimed at least 131 lives and is spreading more rapidly than originally thought, according to a World Health Organization (WHO) representative. Dr. Anne Ancia warned that ongoing investigations reveal the virus has disseminated to other regions, with over 513 suspected cases reported in DR Congo as of Tuesday. One death has also been recorded in neighbouring Uganda.
Modelling from the MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis suggests significant under-detection of cases, indicating that the actual number could exceed 1,000. The report emphasizes that the true scale of the outbreak remains uncertain. The Red Cross has cautioned that the situation could escalate quickly if cases are not identified early and if health systems become overwhelmed.
In response to the crisis, DR Congo President Félix Tshisekedi held a meeting to urge calm and vigilance among citizens. WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus expressed deep concern about the speed and scale of the epidemic, which may have been ongoing for several weeks before its detection on April 24. There is currently no vaccine available for the strain of the Ebola virus involved in this outbreak, although the WHO is evaluating potential treatments.
The outbreak’s epicentre is in Ituri province, an area marked by insecurity and population movement, complicating efforts to control the virus. Cases have also emerged in South Kivu and Goma, a major city with a population of around 850,000. As a precaution, several African nations, including Rwanda, have tightened border screenings and health facilities in preparation.
An American citizen, believed to be missionary group doctor Peter Stafford, is being evacuated from DR Congo after developing symptoms over the weekend. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is also working to evacuate at least six other Americans who may have been exposed. WHO and other agencies are collaborating with local governments to implement preventative measures and encourage residents to report any symptoms promptly.
