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The UN health agency on Wednesday assessed there was a high risk from the Bundibugyo strain at national and regional levels, but the risk was low globally.
Low pandemic risk – so far
However, the UN agency’s emergency committee believes that at this stage, it does not meet the criteria for a pandemic emergency.
To date, 51 cases have been confirmed in the Congo provinces of Ituri and North Kivu, although the scale of the epidemic is much larger. WHO has counted nearly 600 suspected cases and 139 suspected deaths so far, with two cases linked to the outbreak detected in Kampala, Uganda.
Because There is currently no licensed vaccine or specific treatment for this rare type of virus. Health authorities are working to stop transmission quickly in a region characterized by insecurity and population displacement.
With support from the UN peacekeeping mission MONUSCOWorld Food Program (WFP), Doctors Without Borders (MSF), and other partners, experts and medical equipment have been deployed to the affected areas, while treatment centers are being set up.
Talk to UN News, Dr Marie Roseline BelizaireWHO Emergency Director for Africa, stressed the importance of a response built on public trust. “The speed of response in the first days is crucial to interrupt transmission and avoid a wider spread of the epidemiche emphasized.
Supplies to improve the response to the Ebola outbreak in Ituri province arrived in the town of Bunia.
Community-centered
For WHO, public trust is at the core of this emergency response effort. Health authorities are especially trying to prevent people with symptoms from being too afraid to report themselves or refuse isolation.
“Every emergency, every epidemic starts in a community and ends in a community,” Dr Belizaire recalled. “If we do not have the trust of society, whatever actions we take, they will not be accepted.”
WHO emphasizes a participatory approach based on learning from previous outbreaks in the region. “We will not come in and dictate our science…but rather work with themhe explained.
Lessons learned
WHO aims to provide a community response, taking lessons from previous outbreaks where many families hesitated to report cases or let their loved ones go to treatment centers.
The maintenance and monitoring structure must be such set as close to the affected population as possible to ensure care for confirmed patients, monitor suspected cases and contacts, and maintain contact with families.
“Families can visit their hospitalized patients at this care center,” Dr. Belizaire emphasized.
According to her, the goal is to ensure comprehensive management including medical care, psychosocial support, and dietary needs for the patientwhile providing support to families and contacts as part of the response.
Aid to scale up the response to the Ebola outbreak arrives in Ituri in eastern Congo.
‘Complex Security Context’
This outbreak is developing in a region characterized by insecurity, population movement, and high mobility associated with mining areas.
These factors complicate early case detection, contact tracing, and rapid implementation of control measures.
Delivering aid is also a major logistical challenge. “We work with other partners to facilitate the transport of equipment by airsaid Dr. Belizaire. More than 11 tonnes of equipment has been sent to Bunia to support the response.
WHO considered the experience gained during 2018-2020 Ebola an outbreak in the same region – which can be contained despite a similar security context – becomes a huge asset. “This is not the first time (…) we have had an outbreak in this region and the disease was controlled,” recalled Dr. Belizaire.
Challenges from rare strains, no vaccine
In contrast to the Zaire strain, which occurs more frequently, is more virulent, and causes more frequent epidemics, the Bundibugyo strain remains poorly understood and currently has no licensed vaccine or specific treatment.
“We have to find the right formula to explain to the public that the vaccine you received in 2018, 2020 only protects you from that. [Zaire] pressure. And now, you’re not protected from this,” he explained.
Based on his extensive field experience responding to Ebola outbreaks across Africa, Dr. Belizaire noted that discussions have begun within WHO’s research and development program to accelerate potential medical developments.
Previous research efforts focused on the Zaire strain, which is responsible for the most frequent Ebola outbreaks and for which vaccines and therapeutics are now available.
Self protection
WHO said several simple steps should be implemented at the community level to limit the risk of transmission: avoid contact with the bodily fluids of sick or deceased people, and strictly implement hygiene measures, especially regular hand washing.
The health agency also stressed the importance of immediately reporting any suspected cases and consulting a health center without delay if symptoms appear suddenly, including “high fever, severe fatigue, muscle pain,” as well as vomiting or diarrhea.
Dr. Belizaire also stressed the importance of allowing health teams to conduct contact tracing in communities as soon as suspected cases are reported, as well as the need to protect health workers.
Those who are sick also need to be protected so they don’t feel stigmatized. Rely only on information coming from health authorities, he warned, and avoid rumors “that could complicate the response and endanger their lives.”
