Global Health Alert: Ebola Outbreak in DRC Escalates
The World Health Organization (WHO) has significantly raised its risk assessment for the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), labeling it a “very high” threat at the national level. This marks a critical escalation, as the strain lacks an approved vaccine or treatment and was declared a public health emergency of international concern last Sunday.
“We are now revising our risk assessment to very high at the national level, high at the regional level, and low at global level,” said WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus during a press briefing. He confirmed that while the regional and global assessments remain unchanged, the heightened national risk underscores the urgency of the situation.
So far, 82 confirmed cases of the Bundibugyo strain have been reported in the DRC, with seven deaths and 177 suspected fatalities. Additionally, nearly 750 suspected cases have been recorded, highlighting the rapid spread of the virus.
Restrictions on Funerals in Eastern Province
In response to the outbreak, the Ituri province in eastern DRC has banned funeral wakes, a traditional practice that involves close contact with deceased individuals. The decision followed a violent clash between residents and police in the town of Rwampara, where people attempted to retrieve the body of a footballer whose family refused to believe he had died from Ebola.
This incident echoes the challenges faced during the 2018-2020 Ebola outbreak, when similar conflicts arose due to resistance against disease control measures that conflicted with local customs. “We need to put a lot of efforts now on educating the population,” said Mohamed Yakub Janabi, WHO’s regional director for Africa. “There’s a lot of misinformation on the ground, so that’s another epidemic by itself.”
Ebola is a severe viral illness that causes symptoms such as fever, body aches, vomiting, and diarrhea. The virus spreads through direct contact with bodily fluids, making the handling of infected bodies particularly dangerous. Unsafe burials, where family members come into contact with the deceased without proper protection, are a major driver of transmission.
“So anyone who touches the body during carrying, washing, shrouding, moving is at extremely high risk of contracting the virus,” said Laura Archer, lead for clinical care and public health in emergencies for the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).
In addition to banning funeral wakes, the provincial government has limited public gatherings to 50 people and suspended the local football league to curb potential spread.
Containment Efforts in Uganda and Beyond
While the situation in Uganda remains stable, two cases have been confirmed among individuals who traveled from the DRC, one of whom died. Dr. Tedros emphasized the high potential for rapid spread, stating, “The potential of this virus spreading rapidly is high, very high, and that has changed the whole dynamic.”
Uganda has implemented strict containment measures, including intensive contact tracing and the cancellation of a planned mass gathering, which appear to have helped prevent further transmission. A U.S. national working in the DRC has also been diagnosed with the virus and transferred to Germany for treatment. Another American national with a high-risk contact has been sent to the Czech Republic for monitoring.
Rwanda, a neighboring country, has announced that it will deny entry to all foreign nationals who have traveled to or transited through the DRC in the past 30 days. Rwandan citizens returning from the DRC will be required to undergo quarantine. However, the WHO has urged countries to keep borders open, warning that closures could encourage informal crossings and hinder aid delivery.
Experimental Drug Offers Hope
The WHO’s chief scientist, Sylvie Briand, highlighted the potential use of an experimental antiviral drug called Obeldesivir, developed by Gilead Sciences, to prevent the development of Ebola in contacts. While promising, the drug must be administered under strict protocols.
“There is early evidence that surveillance is working as more cases are being detected,” said Anne Ancia, WHO’s representative in the DRC. However, she acknowledged that the outbreak likely began two months ago, but was only declared last Friday. “We are sprinting behind, so that we can really try to control this outbreak. Because [the virus] is still transmitting for the time being, the number will keep rising for some time.”
Research Advances in Vaccine Development
In a positive development, scientists at Oxford are working on a vaccine specifically targeting the Bundibugyo strain. If successful, the vaccine could enter clinical trials within two to three months. This research offers hope for future prevention and control efforts.
