Deadly statistics and spread
Government data shows more than 5,000 people died from the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo. This is the 17th outbreak in the country, according to the United Nations. More than 10,300 confirmed cases exist across eight of 26 provinces. The current case fatality rate is 48.6%. I find the scale of this disaster staggering, especially since the previous deadliest outbreak between 2018 and 2020 saw 2,299 deaths. The deadliest outbreak in history occurred in West Africa between 2014 and 2016, where more than 11,325 people died across countries including the UK, Italy, and the United States.
The Bundibugyo species causes this outbreak, and no treatment or vaccine exists for this specific strain. The current outbreak, which began in May, became the country’s deadliest in history in August, with the health ministry reporting that the epicentre remains in the conflict-prone Ituri province in the north-east. This situation makes containment difficult. The United Nations warns that the virus is taking lives at a much faster rate than earlier outbreaks. The World Health Organization says the response needs a "continued scale-up of key control measures, greater access to affected areas, and community outreach" to end the epidemic. The disease causes sudden symptoms including vomiting, diarrhoea, organ failure, and sometimes internal or external bleeding.
Violence and regional cases
Attacks on responders hinder the medical response. Local youths killed a nurse and injured a health worker earlier this week after accusing the staff of contaminating water sources, according to Radio Okapi. Last month, a politician died after he promoted measures to stop the virus. The Red Cross reported that volunteers faced 11 violent incidents, including an ambulance fire, during the first 100 days. I view the targeted violence against medical workers as the most significant barrier to controlling this epidemic.
The virus spreads through contact with infected bodily fluids such as blood or vomit. Kenya has nine confirmed cases and two deaths. Nigeria’s disease control centre is currently isolating two suspected cases for testing. In Uganda, two people died and 20 cases were recorded, but no new cases appeared after August. Travel restrictions remain for those crossing from DR Congo into Uganda. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control says the likelihood of infection for people in the Europe area is "very low." Earlier in October, one woman confirmed to have the disease was flown to Switzerland for further treatment.
