In brief
The Democratic Republic of Congo’s Ebola outbreak, now the second‑worst in history, began in February yet was only declared in May, leaving health actors playing catch‑up. WHO Africa director Dr. Mohamed Janabi highlighted misdiagnosis with malaria, limited access because of insecurity, and cultural burial practices. With 4,294 confirmed cases and 1,960 deaths, the Bundibugyo strain spreads across East DRC; new treatment centres are speeding up diagnosis.
More than 4,300 confirmed cases and 1,960 deaths have been reported since the outbreak was declared in May, but experts say the virus began circulating months earlier.
In February, the Bundibugyo strain started spreading across East Democratic Republic of Congo, yet the first official declaration by national authorities only came in mid‑May. The delay, WHO Africa director Dr. Mohamed Janabi said, means health workers are still trying to catch up.
Insecurity has blocked rapid response in key districts, while traditional burial rituals where mourners touch the deceased have increased transmission. Moreover, misinformation has led many to treat a suspected Ebola case as malaria or typhoid, delaying diagnosis.
Now, dedicated treatment centres in Bunia and surrounding areas have improved case detection, but only about 30% of sufferers are reaching official care. A lack of licensed vaccine or treatment for the Bundibugyo species further complicates containment.
While the West African outbreak of 2014‑2016 claimed 11,325 deaths, the Congo episode has already become the second‑worst, with 4,294 confirmed cases and 1,960 fatalities reported by the Ministry of Health.
Health authorities are scrambling to expand testing and isolate patients, as WHO continues to monitor the situation closely.
By Damian Zane
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