Ask Onix
WHO raises alarm over rare Ebola strain in DR Congo
The World Health Organization (WHO) has classified the latest Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) as a public health emergency of international concern, citing rapid spread and a rare, vaccine-resistant strain of the virus.
Unprecedented challenges
This outbreak involves the Bundibugyo strain, a seldom-seen variant last detected over a decade ago. Unlike more common Ebola strains, no approved vaccine or targeted treatment exists for Bundibugyo, though experimental vaccines-including one for the Zaire strain-may offer partial protection. The strain has a fatality rate of roughly one in three infected individuals.
Initial blood tests in affected areas returned negative results, as they were calibrated for more prevalent Ebola species, delaying detection and allowing the virus to spread undetected for weeks.
Conflict zone complicates response
The outbreak is concentrated in Ituri province, a region plagued by armed conflict and mass displacement. Over 250,000 people have fled their homes, and porous borders facilitate cross-border movement into neighboring Uganda, Rwanda, and South Sudan. Health officials warn that instability hampers containment efforts, including contact tracing and safe burials.
The first confirmed case-a nurse who fell ill on 24 April-died in Bunia, Ituri's capital. Her body was transported to Mongwalu, a gold-mining town where most cases have since emerged. Congolese Health Minister Samuel Roger Kamba attributed the rapid spread to traditional funeral practices, where mourners come into direct contact with the deceased.
Spread and underreporting
As of 19 May, DRC officials reported 513 suspected cases and 131 deaths. A separate fatality was recorded in Kampala, Uganda. However, modeling by the MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis suggests underreporting, with potential active cases exceeding 1,000.
Cases have been confirmed in Mongwalu, Rwampara, and Bunia. A patient in Goma-DRC's largest eastern city, controlled by the AFC-M23 rebel group-tested positive after traveling from Bunia following her husband's Ebola death. Two Congolese nationals have also been treated in Uganda after crossing the border.
An American doctor, Peter Stafford, contracted the virus while treating patients at Nyankunde Hospital in Bunia. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) evacuated him to Germany for treatment and is coordinating the evacuation of six other exposed Americans.
Response efforts
The DRC government has deployed health teams equipped with protective gear to Bunia. The WHO and Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) are establishing treatment centers and drafting response plans. A toll-free hotline (151) has been activated for symptom reporting.
Public health campaigns led by the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) emphasize safe burial practices, hygiene, and protective measures for healthcare workers. Director Dr. Jean Kaseya noted that misinformation persists, with some communities attributing Ebola to "witchcraft" and seeking treatment from traditional healers instead of hospitals.
"I am deeply concerned about the scale and speed of this epidemic," said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Regional precautions
Neighboring countries are tightening border controls. Rwanda has closed its frontier with DRC, while Uganda has banned handshakes and hugs and postponed the annual Martyrs' Day pilgrimage, a major Christian event typically attended by thousands of Congolese nationals. South Sudan is bolstering health facilities near its border.
The AFC-M23 rebel group claims to have formed an Ebola response team in collaboration with local health services, though neither rebels nor the government have indicated plans for joint action. The case in Goma was confirmed by the state-run Institut National de Recherche Biomédicale (INRB), suggesting some level of coordination.
Key risks and outlook
While the WHO's emergency declaration does not signal a Covid-19-style pandemic, Africa CDC warns of high transmission risks in bordering nations. The lack of a vaccine or specific treatment for Bundibugyo heightens the urgency of containment. Health officials stress that rapid detection, safe burials, and community engagement remain critical to curbing the outbreak.
