The Director General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, landed in Kinshasa to support the response to the Ebola outbreak caused by the Bundibugyo virus. He asked to work with communities to contain the spread.
“Coming here is really showing the community that they are not alone,” he told reporters. He added: “Giving orders from my comfortable office in Geneva is easy, but I am asking my colleagues to work with the community and the communities to protect themselves.”
As of Friday, authorities report 125 confirmed cases and 17 confirmed deaths. In addition, there are 906 suspected cases and 223 suspicious deaths. Uganda, neighboring Congo, confirmed nine cases and one death.
A complex outbreak without a vaccine
Tedros acknowledged that the outbreak can be stopped, but it is “very complex.” Those displaced by armed conflict and food insecurity complicate the response. Medical aid reached the epicenter, in Ituri, but the lack of equipment, mistrust and the presence of armed groups persist.
Bundibugyo virus, a strain of Ebola, has no approved treatment or vaccine. Its fatality rate ranges between 30 and 50%. Anaïs Legand, a WHO researcher, reported that one infected person recovered, calling it a “positive development.” Five others are also expected to recover.
The European Union sent medical aid to Ituri. The United States allocated an additional $80 million, bringing its total commitment to more than $112 million. At Rwampara Hospital and Bunia the response has been better organized, with more personnel and protective equipment. Even so, patients continue to arrive 24 hours a day.
Health workers face increasing risks as residents become angry at protocols for handling bodies. At least three attacks against health centers have been recorded. The presence of rebel groups such as the Allied Democratic Forces and the M23 also makes containment difficult.
Uganda closed its border with Congo. Tedros opposed travel bans: “There are ways to manage cases without a restrictive ban.” The Trump administration has temporarily banned entry to people without U.S. passports who have visited Congo, Uganda or South Sudan in the past 21 days.
More than 230 US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) employees are working on the response. However, current and former employees express concern for their safety, especially if the US government were to repatriate infected personnel. The National Public Health Coalition warned that refusing to repatriate would be “a dereliction of duty.”
