Ebola Outbreak in Congo’s Kasai Province Claims 16 Lives
The Democratic Republic of Congo’s Kasai province is grappling with its first Ebola outbreak since 2008, resulting in 16 deaths. The World Health Organization (WHO) warns that without urgent support, containment efforts could fail within weeks, reports 24brussels.
Declared by the health ministry in Kinshasa last week, this outbreak marks the country’s first Ebola incident in three years and its 16th overall, highlighting the persistence of health crises in the region. Current statistics reveal 32 suspected cases, along with 20 confirmed cases. The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has indicated a worrying increase in suspected cases, jumping from 28 to 68 since early September.
In response, the WHO has deployed experts to Bulape and Mweka, and delivered 14 tonnes of emergency supplies and equipment. To enhance the vaccination campaign, a UN peacekeeping helicopter transported hundreds of doses of the Ervebo vaccine to Kasai, with an additional 1,500 doses en route from the capital. WHO official Patrick Otim announced that 400 doses had already reached Bulape, the outbreak’s epicenter, and vaccinations would commence promptly. The organization is seeking to acquire 40,000 to 50,000 more doses.
Otim emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, “Containing the outbreak is possible, but it will be challenging if we miss the window of opportunity. We have the expertise, DRC has the expertise, but we need to be able to get the people and supplies into place and we need to be able to pay for the operations.”
As the outbreak spreads, now reaching 70 kilometers beyond Bulape, new treatment facilities will be necessary. Otim also pointed out the moderate risk of regional transmission, particularly identifying Angola as a vulnerable neighboring country.
Furthermore, concerns are growing regarding recent cuts to U.S. funding, which previously amounted to as much as $11.5 million through USAID in 2021 for Ebola operations in Congo. Aid workers worry that the reduction in U.S. support structures could negatively impact the current response to the outbreak.
WHO officials indicate that the next two weeks are critical in determining whether the outbreak can be contained within Kasai or escalate into a broader regional emergency.