KATHMANDU: Ebola infections have declined in some areas of the Democratic Republic of Congo, but officials warn that the outbreak remains a significant challenge as new clusters emerge and the virus risks spreading across borders.
The World Health Organization and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention have urged caution regarding the reported decrease in cases. As of October 6, health officials confirmed 8,728 infections and 4,205 deaths. Since the outbreak began in mid-May, the virus has spread across 64 health zones in seven provinces.
Africa CDC official Wesam Mankoula stated that infections dropped by 24 percent in Ituri province and 19 percent in North Kivu over the last three weeks.
However, insecurity and lack of community cooperation have hindered surveillance and data collection, suggesting the actual situation may differ. Active transmission continues in 47 of the 64 affected health zones. Authorities noted that 60 to 70 percent of Ebola-related deaths occur outside health facilities, and contact tracing remains insufficient.
Regional risks have intensified following the first confirmed case of Ebola in Kenya. A 40-year-old Kenyan businessman, who had been living in Congo, traveled through Uganda to Nairobi and died on Monday. Kenyan authorities are monitoring 55 people, including passengers and crew from his flight. Congo, Uganda and Kenya are working together to identify individuals who may have been in contact with the deceased.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated that while surveillance and community engagement have improved, contact tracing remains inadequate. No specific vaccine or treatment has yet been approved for the Bundibugyo Ebola virus. Clinical trials for vaccines developed by Oxford University and Moderna are underway.
Although Congo received 70,000 doses of the Ervebo vaccine, it has not been proven effective against the Bundibugyo strain. By Oct. 7, 7,775 frontline workers had been vaccinated, but the program has been suspended due to supply shortages. This is currently the largest Ebola outbreak in Congo’s history and the second largest globally.
