DRC Ebola outbreak surpasses 8,000 cases amid response challenges

The Democratic Republic of the Congo has recorded 8,067 Ebola cases and 3,901 deaths in its ongoing outbreak, according to the country’s public health institute.

The reported fatality rate stands at 48.4 percent. Africa CDC said the number of cases had levelled off following a rapid increase, but warned that the outbreak was still “not under control”.

Public mistrust hampers response

The outbreak, officially declared on May 15 and described as the DRC’s 17th, has been complicated by mistrust and anger over government policies, according to the report.

A representative of the ruling UDPS party said a senior party member was beaten to death on Sunday in Butembo after raising awareness about Ebola during a radio programme. Congolese health authorities separately reported that Marie-Celestin Karondwa, identified as the acting president of the party’s federal executive committee in Butembo, was attacked by local residents after appearing on a broadcast about Ebola prevention measures.

The available information does not establish whether Karondwa was the same person described by the party representative as having been killed.

Shortages and limited treatment capacity

Health authorities reported “low capacity” to treat Ebola patients at health centres in Ituri province. They also reported a “complete shortage” in Tshopo province of experimental vaccine stocks aimed at the Bundibugyo strain.

Several treatments and vaccines for the strain were being trialled, but it has no approved vaccine or treatment, according to the report.

Experts have cited weak health infrastructure, remote communities and continuing conflict near the DRC’s borders with South Sudan, Uganda and Rwanda as factors that have slowed efforts to respond quickly and effectively.

International support

The World Health Organization said the outbreak was “far from over” and on track to exceed the 2014-2016 Ebola outbreak in West Africa, which caused more than 11,000 deaths, mainly in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone.

The United States announced that it was releasing an additional $267 million to support the Ebola response and was seeking pledges from other countries toward a $2 billion funding target.