The World Health Organization (WHO) chief on Tuesday stated he was "deeply concerned" about an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) caused by a rare strain for which no approved vaccines or treatments currently exist, as the death toll climbed to 136.
WHO Declares Public Health Emergency
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus addressed the World Health Assembly in Geneva, emphasizing the gravity of the situation. "I did not do this lightly... I'm deeply concerned about the scale and speed of the epidemic," he remarked, a day after declaring the outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC).
Casualties and Cases
Congo's Health Minister Roger Kamba reported on Tuesday that a total of 543 suspected cases have been recorded nationwide, including 32 laboratory-confirmed cases. All 136 deaths are considered probable cases suspected to be linked to the virus. Currently, 69 patients are receiving treatment at Ebola treatment centers.
The Rare Bundibugyo Strain
The outbreak, declared on May 15, is attributed to the Bundibugyo strain, a rarer form of Ebola that has historically appeared far less frequently than the Zaire strain, which was responsible for the devastating West Africa outbreak between 2014 and 2016. Unlike the Zaire strain, there is no approved vaccine or specific treatment for the Bundibugyo strain. The epicenter is located in Ituri province, with confirmed cases also reported in neighboring North Kivu province.
Security Challenges and Transmission Risks
Tedros highlighted that the province is "highly insecure," with intensifying conflict in recent months displacing over 100,000 people. He also noted that deaths have been reported among health workers, suggesting "healthcare-associated transmission."
Regional Response
Neighboring countries, including Rwanda, Burundi, and Tanzania, have enhanced surveillance, border screening, and emergency preparedness measures. The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention declared the outbreak a public health emergency of continental security on Monday.
Measures Without a Vaccine
In the absence of a vaccine, Tedros emphasized that "many other measures countries can take to stop the spread of this virus and save lives," such as risk communication and community engagement.
