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Fear grips communities near Ebola epicentre in DR Congo
Residents in Ituri province, the heart of the Democratic Republic of Congo's latest Ebola outbreak, have described growing panic as the virus claims lives at an alarming rate. The World Health Organization (WHO) has raised concerns that cases may be spreading more rapidly than initially detected, with potential underreporting masking the true scale of the crisis.
Death toll rises as cases surge
The outbreak has killed 131 people so far, with over 513 suspected cases recorded as of Tuesday, according to Congolese officials. One fatality has also been reported in neighbouring Uganda, heightening fears of cross-border transmission. Dr. Anne Ancia, a WHO representative, told the BBC that ongoing investigations reveal the virus has likely spread to additional areas, complicating containment efforts.
A modelling study by the MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis in London suggested the outbreak could already exceed 1,000 cases, with researchers warning of "substantial" under-detection. The study described the current situation as "larger than currently ascertained" and stressed that the outbreak's full magnitude remains unclear.
Locals describe desperation and limited resources
Residents near the epicentre in Ituri province shared their fears with BBC News. A man identified as Bigboy said infected individuals are dying "very fast," adding, "Ebola has tortured us." While locals are taking basic precautions like washing hands with clean water, many lack access to essential protective supplies such as face masks.
Alfred Giza, another resident, said the community is aware of the threat but feels helpless. "We are waiting to receive face masks, but I don't know what I would do if a family member or friend got sick," he said. The Red Cross has warned that the outbreak could escalate rapidly if cases are not identified early, communities remain uninformed, and health systems become overwhelmed-conditions already present in the current crisis.
Government and WHO respond amid escalating risks
On Tuesday, DR Congo President Félix Tshisekedi called for calm and urged citizens to remain vigilant following an emergency meeting the previous evening. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, who declared the outbreak a global health emergency last week, expressed deep concern over its "scale and speed."
The outbreak may have been circulating for weeks before its detection on April 24. Unlike previous outbreaks, there is no vaccine for the Bundibugyo strain driving the current surge, though the WHO is evaluating whether existing drugs could offer protection.
Insecurity and population movement hinder containment
Dr. Ancia highlighted the challenges of operating in Ituri, describing it as a "very unsecured area with lots of population movement." This instability has made it difficult for health workers to investigate and control the spread. The virus has now reached South Kivu province, an area already grappling with a long-standing humanitarian crisis, and has appeared in Goma, DR Congo's largest eastern city, which has a population of around 850,000 and is under the control of Rwandan-backed rebels.
High levels of insecurity in multiple provinces have forced people to relocate frequently, increasing the risk of transmission. Several African nations, including Rwanda, have tightened border screenings, while Uganda has advised citizens to avoid physical contact like handshakes and hugs.
International evacuations and global precautions
An American citizen, believed to be missionary doctor Peter Stafford, is being evacuated to Germany after developing symptoms over the weekend. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said it is working to evacuate at least six other Americans who may have been exposed to the virus.
The WHO and other agencies are collaborating with governments and communities to curb the spread, urging residents to follow preventive measures and seek medical attention if symptoms appear. Ebola, caused by a virus, initially presents flu-like symptoms such as fever, headache, and fatigue, but can progress to vomiting, diarrhoea, and organ failure. In some cases, patients experience internal and external bleeding.
The virus spreads through contact with infected bodily fluids like blood or vomit. The Bundibugyo strain, responsible for the current outbreak, is rare and has previously caused only two outbreaks, with a fatality rate of around one-third. The 2014-2016 West African outbreak, driven by the Zaire strain, infected over 28,600 people and killed 11,325, marking the deadliest Ebola epidemic since the virus was discovered in 1976.
