'No one knows the true scale' of DRC Ebola outbreak, warns MSF as cases jump

The Democratic Republic of the Congo has reported a record daily jump in Ebola infections, with the Ministry of Public Health saying 72 new cases were confirmed in the previous 24 hours.

That increase pushed the total number of confirmed infections to 782, while another 32 deaths lifted the toll to 181. The outbreak is being driven by the rare Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, which has been spreading in eastern parts of the country since May.

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Conflict at the gate, contagion within

Health authorities and international responders say the outbreak is unfolding in an especially difficult setting.

Al Jazeera reported that conflict, patient escapes and weak contact tracing are undermining containment efforts, while contact tracing coverage has fallen to 56.5 percent, well below the 95 percent target cited by officials.

The epicentre remains Ituri province, which accounts for nearly 95 percent of confirmed cases, but the virus has also reached North Kivu and South Kivu and crossed into Uganda.

No silver bullet in sight

The strain involved is a major reason for concern. The World Health Organization says the Bundibugyo species of Ebola has no vaccine or specific treatment, although work is under way to test promising candidates.

WHO also says the outbreak is taking place in a challenging environment marked by humanitarian crisis, insecurity, and a remote, densely populated area with high population and trade movement.

In the same context, WHO has said it is scaling up surveillance, contact tracing, clinical preparedness, supplies, community engagement and cross-border preparedness.

Reinforcements urgently requested

Jean Kaseya, director general of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, said the response still needs urgent backing.

“We remain committed to supporting affected countries until transmission is stopped,” he said on Sunday, adding that partners and donors should mobilise resources to strengthen the response and save lives.

Médecins Sans Frontières warned “no one knows the true scale” of the outbreak because of surveillance and testing gaps, while WHO and Africa CDC launched a joint continental response plan earlier in June to support outbreak control efforts across the region.

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FAQs

Q1: What is causing the latest Ebola outbreak in the DRC?

Ans: The outbreak is being caused by the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, a rare variant for which no approved vaccine currently exists.

Q2: How many people have been affected by the DRC Ebola outbreak?

Ans: According to health authorities, the outbreak has resulted in 782 confirmed infections and 181 deaths.