The Ebola epidemic spread rapidly and outstripped containment efforts

The latest outbreak of a deadly disease WHO has declared a public health emergency of international concern, and the disease is spreading faster than health officials can contain it.

In Congo, the epicenter of the outbreak, WHO has raised its national risk assessment from high to very high, and neighboring countries – including Uganda, where five cases and one death have been confirmed – are at very high risk.

Treatment centers in eastern Congo burned down

But these efforts have been hampered, especially in the troubled eastern region of Congo, due to local people’s distrust of authorities abroad, significantly increasing the risk of disease transmission.

In recent days, two treatment centers were torched in the region, which has been hit by heavy fighting, displacing more than 100,000 people.

Marie Roseline Belizaire, WHO Africa Emergency Response Director, said UN News that the attacks were linked to a misinformation campaign circulating on social media, which significantly slowed case investigations and limited the ability of healthcare teams to reach affected communities.

Outrage over Ebola burial rules

Strict protocols surrounding the burial of suspects Ebola The victims have become a cause of anger among the population. Funeral ceremonies involving more than 50 people have been banned by authorities in northeastern Congo, and armed soldiers and police guard funerals conducted by health workers.

According to Dr. Belizaire, WHO is working with local leaders and traditional healers to intensify community engagement and improve the safety of external health workers.

Victims’ families were given access to mourn their loved ones, but to protect them from the virus, they were not allowed to touch the bodies. “We offer families protective equipment,” explains Dr. Belizaire, “so they can help put their loved ones in body bags and pray for them.”

There is no vaccine

Even though this outbreak occurred almost 20 years ago, there is still no approved vaccine or therapy for the Bundibugyo virus.

WHO has recommended prioritizing the two antibodies in clinical trials, and evaluating the antiviral drug obeldesivir in clinical trials as a treatment for people who are high-risk contacts.

The UN health agency immediately stepped up operations in the field, including contact tracing, establishing treatment centers, strengthening laboratory capacity, case management, infection prevention and control, risk communication and community engagement. Approximately $3.9 million has been released from WHO’s Contingency Fund for Emergencies to help fund these measures.