The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is facing its worst-ever Ebola outbreak, with confirmed infections rising above 11,000 as insecurity continues to obstruct efforts to contain the deadly virus.
Figures released by the country’s National Institute of Public Health on Wednesday showed that the outbreak has infected 11,042 people and claimed 5,387 lives. Approximately 2,990 patients have recovered.
Conflict Creates Fresh Challenges for Health Workers
The outbreak, officially declared in May, is the 17th recorded in the DRC. However, health experts believe the virus may have been circulating weeks or even months before the announcement.
The outbreak began in northeastern Ituri province before spreading to seven other provinces. Ituri and North Kivu account for most reported infections.
Efforts to contain the disease have been complicated by armed violence, particularly in eastern parts of the country, where attacks on communities and health facilities have created serious security concerns.
Health authorities said a medical centre treating Ebola patients was set on fire by youths on Sunday in Lolwa, Ituri province.
The United Nations also reported that clashes between local armed groups temporarily halted the health response in the Fataki area on the same day.
Meanwhile, local and security sources reported recent deadly attacks by Islamic State-affiliated Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebels in parts of Ituri, Haut-Uele and North Kivu.
Limited Vaccine Options Against the Current Strain
The latest outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo species of Ebola, for which no approved vaccine or specific treatment is currently available.
Last month, the World Health Organization announced plans to conduct a human trial in the DRC to determine whether Ervebo, a vaccine approved against the more common Zaire strain, could provide some protection against Bundibugyo.
Ebola spreads through direct contact with the bodily fluids of infected people and can cause severe, often fatal illness.
The disease has killed more than 15,000 people across Africa over the past five decades.
The previous worst Ebola outbreak in the DRC, recorded between 2018 and 2020, resulted in nearly 2,300 deaths from approximately 3,500 cases.
Regional Health Concerns
The latest outbreak has also raised concerns beyond the DRC, with cases reported in Uganda, Kenya and Nigeria, according to the report.
The growing number of infections, combined with insecurity and attacks affecting health facilities, presents a major challenge for health authorities and international partners working to contain the outbreak.
