100 days of Ebola and the race to stop its spread

Key points

• The World Health Organization (WHO) reported an average of nearly 90 confirmed cases recorded every day during the first three months, a figure higher than the 2018-2020 outbreak in Congo.
• The latest figures show 5,515 cases and 2,642 deaths, meaning a death rate of almost 48 percent.
• The outbreak has now affected six provinces, with Ituri still the epicenter of the outbreak, accounting for around 85 percent of cases and 79 percent of deaths.

WHO calls for increased response in the face of the ongoing situation, which is exacerbated by ongoing clashes between armed groups in eastern Congo, displacement due to conflict, and increasing hunger.

“We can take it Ebola “The outbreak is under control, but only through broader action in affected communities.” said WHO Chairman Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

He also underscored the importance of a response led by national and local authorities, equipped with the necessary resources and supported by resolute partners.

‘Extraordinary’ progress

Within 100 days, the response had grown rapidly in scale and capacity, with the testing network expanded from one location to 19 laboratories now capable of analyzing more than 3,000 samples daily.

Treatment capacity has jumped from less than 10 beds to more than 1,300, community engagement activities have reached more than 2.5 million people and contact tracing has increased from nine percent in the first week of the outbreak to 84 percent on August 18.

Scientific efforts are also intensifying, with clinical trials of potential treatments, evaluation of vaccine candidates, and the launch of the first molecular diagnostic test for the Bundibugyo virus.

WHO regional director for emergency response in Africa Dr. Marie Roseline Belizaire said UN News “This is tremendous progress,” but not enough to end the epidemic or stop transmission of the virus.

60% of deaths occur outside treatment centers

Insecurity, displacement, attacks on health facilities and difficulties in accessing health services continue to hamper disaster response efforts.

Mortality rates remain high, both in the community and among patients receiving treatment. Deaths occurring outside Ebola treatment centers account for about 60 percent of the 260 weekly deaths recorded over the past six weeks.

These figures highlight the ongoing difficulties in detecting cases early, referring patients quickly to health facilities and ensuring they have access to treatment, according to WHO, which stressed that interventions must be better adapted to local transmission dynamics and operational gaps, missions in active transmission hotspots must be scaled up and high-risk areas need to be well prepared before cases emerge.

‘People are hungry’

The Ebola epidemic occurred amidst a broader humanitarian crisis, with communities facing malnutrition and a lack of access to safe drinking water.

“People are hungry; they need access to food; they need water,” stressed Dr Belizaire. “Humanitarian aid must also be provided alongside the Ebola response.”

The challenge facing the next few weeks is to stay one step ahead in confronting the outbreak, he said, setting out five priorities:

• Strengthening the role of society
• Increase surveillance and contact tracing by up to 95 percent
• Accelerate access to care and expand capacity to 3,000 beds
• Increased protection for health workers as 50 people die after 155 people contract the virus
• Strengthen cross-border preparedness

Cross-border efforts in South Sudan

While there are currently no Ebola cases in South Sudan, the risk remains as population movement to and from Congo continues, UN agencies say.

UN agencies and partners are undertaking preventive measures, including surveillance, screening at points of entry, training health workers, providing medical supplies and raising awareness nationwide through radio and social media.

UN Humanitarian Coordinator for South Sudan Ramanathan Balakrishnan stressed the need to increase protection for humanitarian personnel following the kidnapping of four aid workers by unknown gunmen in South Sudan’s southwestern region while transporting vital Ebola supplies to the border town of Libogo.

Meanwhile, WHO regional director for Africa Dr. Mohamed Janabi issued a stern warning.

“The decisions we take today will determine how quickly we can control this outbreak and save lives,” he said.

What is the UN doing?

• Who has deployed more than 260 experts, delivered more than 330 tons of critical medical and logistics supplies and allocated $5.6 million for emergency operations
• The United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency, UNFPA, support infection prevention and control efforts in health facilities, involving the community to increase awareness of preventive measures and countering misinformation as well as conducting examinations and referrals for pregnant women and survivors of gender-based violence
• The World Food Program (WFP) is provide emergency assistance and medical evacuation through the United Nations Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS)

Learn more about the UN’s emergency efforts in Congo Here.