An Ebola outbreak in eastern Congo has become the fastest-growing outbreak of the disease, with 3,802 cases and 1,707 deaths recorded as of Tuesday, according to government data. The disease is spreading more rapidly than health officials can monitor, and the original source of infection remains unidentified.
The outbreak was declared on May 15 and is linked to the Bundibugyo virus, for which no approved vaccines or treatments currently exist. The epidemic is primarily concentrated in Ituri province in eastern Congo, which accounts for nearly 90% of all cases, though cases have also been confirmed in five other provinces including Kisangani, one of the country’s largest cities. Africa CDC Director-General Jean Kaseya noted during a visit to Bunia that approximately 60-70% of new cases result from community transmission rather than traced contact with confirmed patients, indicating that traditional contact tracing methods are proving ineffective in controlling spread.
Multiple obstacles have hindered the response effort. These include displacement caused by armed conflict and illegal mining operations in the region, community mistrust, violence from armed groups, and a shortage of funding. Health care workers have faced dangerous conditions, with over 100 infected since the outbreak began. Recently, workers in Mongbwalu issued an ultimatum over unpaid wages, following earlier strikes in Bunia by health care workers citing lack of pay and unsafe working conditions.
Two clinical trials for post-exposure prophylaxis drugs are underway in Ituri province, while separate vaccine trials are occurring in the United Kingdom and Canada. The WHO reported testing over 2,000 samples daily as of Tuesday, up from 20 previously, and is monitoring over 17,000 potential contacts with nearly 80% being seen daily. Neighboring Uganda declared itself free of Ebola following the discharge of its last patient in mid-June.
This outbreak is progressing faster than previous epidemics. The 2014-2016 outbreak recorded 28,000 cases with over 11,000 deaths and took approximately eight months to reach 1,000 deaths, whereas the current outbreak has achieved that mortality rate at a quicker pace.
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