“It’s like a fire” – the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is the fastest growing on record

Why is this important?

🔹The third largest Ebola outbreak ever recorded.

🔹Most new infections result from unknown chains of transmission.

🔹The virus has spread beyond the original outbreak area.

🔹Early detection and international support are crucial elements for containing the crisis.

Speaking to reporters in Geneva after his return from the city of Bunia in Ituri Province in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, which is the epicenter of the outbreak, the Executive Director of the Health Emergencies Program at the World Health Organization, Dr. Chikwe Ihekwaso, said that the number of confirmed infections had reached nearly two thousand cases, as of July 11, while the number of deaths had exceeded 700 in five provinces, making the current outbreak the third largest Ebola outbreak in history.

Dr Chikwe Ihekwazu added: ““We have seen the fastest rate of growth in one month since the outbreak began, and the fastest of all the Ebola outbreaks we have dealt with.”

He pointed out that during the past few days, some of the highest numbers of new infections were recorded in one day, including more than 80 confirmed infections within 24 hours.

Unidentified transmission chains

Dr. Ihekwazo explained that many of the newly reported deaths were of people who died within their communities without reaching any health facility or receiving medical care, describing this as “the most worrying thing.”

Despite the progress made in diagnosis and the high rates of contact tracing, he warned that “80 percent of the new cases are not included in our contact lists, which means they come from unknown chains of transmission.”

This outbreak was announced approximately two months ago, and the organization’s models indicate that the true size of the outbreak may be two to four times greater than the number of reported cases.

Ihekwazo likened the situation to a raging fire, saying: “Imagine it is like a fire; there is something feeding the fire at its center, and at the same time it continues to expand.”

Although up to 95 percent of new infections remain concentrated in Ituri Province, where the outbreak began, the virus has recently spread to Haut-Uélé and Tshopo Provinces.

He explained that the response strategy is based on two parallel paths: continuing to contain the outbreak in Ituri, while at the same time understanding movement paths and mapping the areas most vulnerable to the emergence of new infections.

He called on the international community not to give in to frustration due to the rapid spread of the disease, stressing that the efforts made are achieving results, and said: “Now is not the time for complacency.”

Ongoing therapeutic trials

He pointed out that a number of treatments are still undergoing clinical trials, but there is still no approved treatment for those infected with the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus. However, the chances of survival increase significantly when supportive care is provided early.

“We have to detect cases earlier and get patients into health care as quickly as possible” to limit transmission within communities, he said.

In response to a question about the recent attacks on health sector workers and medical facilities, he explained that the solution lies in transparency and openness regarding the services provided, adding: “Before opening any new center, we call on local community leaders to learn about what is going on and to talk to health workers who have left their homes to contribute to the response.”

He stressed that preventing attacks on health facilities depends on building the trust of local communities, and showing that patients will not be left alone, but will receive treatment and food, and will be able to communicate with their families.

Concluding his remarks, Dr. Ihekwaso said that there is “a gap between the scale of the threats we face and the efforts we are making to respond to them.”

He added: “We need the world to come together, not just out of charity or solidarity with the Democratic Republic of the Congo, but out of our enlightened common interest. The more we do now, the more prepared we will be for the future.”

He also pointed out that the member states of the World Health Organization are currently negotiating at the organization’s headquarters in Geneva on the annex on the availability of pathogens and benefit-sharing within the organization’s agreement on pandemics, which aims to ensure the rapid exchange of genetic information on dangerous pathogens with epidemic potential, and to make vaccines and treatments available to developing countries.