The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) could have started as early as January, according to the head of the World Health Organization (WHO), giving the virus a significant head start. Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated that the response is still catching up, with the outbreak already causing 344 confirmed cases and 60 deaths in the DRC, along with 15 cases and one death in Uganda.
Travel Restrictions and Community Mistrust
Dr Tedros highlighted that blanket travel restrictions, such as those imposed by the United States, are hampering the response by disrupting supply chains. He called on countries to lift these measures. Additionally, high levels of community mistrust and low contact tracing rates are major concerns. Some community leaders in the DRC have expressed disbelief in the existence of Ebola, fearing that the response would divert resources from other essential services.
Contact Tracing Challenges
Contact tracing, a critical component of outbreak control, is particularly difficult due to insecurity and displacement in Ituri province. Only about 45% of contacts are being followed up, far below the 90% needed to get ahead of the outbreak. Dr Tedros emphasized the need to scale up laboratory and diagnostic capacity in affected areas and neighboring regions.
First Identified Case and Alternative Scenarios
The first identified case was a nurse who visited a health center on April 24, but Dr Tedros noted that the virus could have been circulating since January, February, or March. He stressed that the focus should remain on the response rather than pinpointing the exact start date.
No Vaccine for Bundibugyo Strain
There is currently no vaccine or treatment for the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola. However, Dr Tedros pointed out that six people in the DRC and two in Uganda have recovered, demonstrating that survival is possible with timely access to care. He urged people to seek medical attention as soon as symptoms appear.
The UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has announced a multi-hazard research network to provide rapid advice on emerging infectious diseases, including the current Ebola outbreak.
