Daijiworld Media Network - Kinshasa

Kinshasa, Nov 1: The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is grappling with the largest and deadliest Ebola outbreak in its history, with more than 10,000 confirmed cases and nearly 5,000 deaths, as the virus spreads across international borders amid worsening insecurity and growing resistance to healthcare workers.

The outbreak was officially declared in mid-May in the country's eastern Ituri province. However, genetic sequencing suggests that the virus had been circulating silently since February before developing into a major epidemic.

The crisis is no longer confined to the DRC, with confirmed cases reported in Uganda, Kenya and Nigeria. Beyond Africa, France is the only European country to have reported a confirmed case, involving a doctor who recently returned from the DRC.

Dr Jean Kaseya, Director-General of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), has warned that geographical distance cannot protect countries from the outbreak. He said the strain has an estimated fatality rate of around 50 per cent.

"No one can come and say Ebola is not a reality," Kaseya said, pointing out that Nigeria had initially considered itself relatively safe because of the absence of direct flights from the DRC, but had nevertheless reported a case.

He warned that North Africa, South Africa and other parts of southern Africa could also face risks, stressing the need for countries to take the situation seriously.

The outbreak is being driven by the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, a relatively rare variant. Unlike the more common Zaire strain, there is currently no approved treatment specifically developed to combat the Bundibugyo variant.

Clinical vaccine trials are underway, but widespread public protection remains unavailable. Frontline healthcare workers are therefore relying primarily on supportive care and strict containment measures to manage the outbreak.

Ebola spreads through direct contact with the bodily fluids of infected individuals or the bodies of those who have died from the disease. Early detection, immediate isolation and rigorous contact tracing are therefore essential to prevent further transmission.

However, efforts to contain the outbreak are facing serious challenges. Epidemiologists estimate that around 80 per cent of new infections are emerging outside known and monitored transmission chains.

The Africa CDC has set a target of linking at least 95 per cent of new cases to identified contacts before the outbreak can be considered under control. The current situation remains far from achieving that benchmark.

Insecurity, Misinformation Hamper Containment Efforts

Beyond the medical challenges, the deteriorating security situation in eastern DRC has emerged as a major obstacle to controlling the epidemic.

Persistent violence, misinformation and deep-rooted mistrust among local communities have increasingly turned humanitarian and healthcare workers into targets.

In recent weeks, conspiracy theories accusing health personnel of contaminating local water supplies to spread Ebola have triggered deadly attacks. A nurse was killed in a mob assault, while a school principal involved in community awareness activities was seriously injured.

The violence has also affected political figures. In September, a Congolese politician was beaten to death after defending the government's response to the Ebola outbreak during a live radio broadcast.

The conflict has also severely damaged medical infrastructure and disrupted essential healthcare services.

On October 12, clashes near the Rhoe displacement sites in Ituri province killed at least four civilians and resulted in the complete destruction of a health facility that served more than 5,000 people.

In Kisangani, the provincial capital, the Bondeko health centre was ransacked by an angry mob after a patient showing haemorrhagic symptoms was transferred to an official Ebola Treatment Centre.

The attackers reportedly looted essential medical supplies, stole mattresses and tore out electrical cables powering refrigerators used to preserve vaccines.

The worsening security situation has also forced humanitarian organisations to scale back their operations. UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric confirmed that at least five humanitarian organisations had relocated staff and temporarily suspended their activities.

"The deteriorating security situation could further hinder Ebola surveillance, contact tracing and referral of suspected cases," the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) warned in a statement delivered by Dujarric.

The unfolding crisis in central Africa has grown beyond a conventional public health emergency, with insecurity, damaged medical infrastructure and declining public trust complicating efforts to contain the virus.

Health authorities face the dual challenge of stopping transmission while ensuring that doctors and humanitarian workers can safely reach affected communities, provide assistance to displaced populations and rebuild public confidence.

With international travel connections increasing the possibility of cross-border transmission, health officials have warned that no country can consider itself completely safe until the outbreak is brought under control at its source.