The UN World Health Organization (WHO) has provided an update on the Ebola outbreak caused by the Bundibugyo virus in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). According to WHO, more recoveries are expected as outbreak response intensifies, especially when people are diagnosed early and able to access care.
As of the latest update, a total of five people have recovered from the virus, including a laboratory worker who was given the all-clear last Thursday. This news comes as a welcome relief amidst the ongoing outbreak, which has seen a total of 210 confirmed cases and 17 confirmed deaths in the country. Additionally, nearly 350 suspected cases are under investigation, and 16 health workers have contracted Ebola during this latest outbreak in DRC.
The lack of a licensed vaccine or treatment for the Bundibugyo virus has further complicated the situation. In response, WHO has identified several candidate treatments and vaccines that show promise and are being prioritized for evaluation in clinical trials. WHO is working closely with health authorities in DRC and Uganda to facilitate this process.
Key response measures since the declaration of the Ebola outbreak on May 15 have included laboratory testing, disease surveillance, infection prevention and control, community engagement, and resource mobilization. In Bunia, the likely epicenter of the outbreak and capital of Ituri province, WHO has handed over a refurbished Ebola Treatment Center to the health authorities. The facility has 24 beds with a total capacity of 60 beds, with plans to set up an annex with up to 42 additional beds.
The humanitarian situation in DRC’s resource-rich far east has further complicated efforts to contain the outbreak. Decades of ongoing conflict have left 1.2 million people requiring assistance in Ituri province alone, where transmission has been concentrated. Additionally, cases have also been reported in North Kivu and South Kivu provinces.
In terms of treatments, three candidate therapeutics for treatment and one oral antiviral for prevention have been prioritized for clinical trials. The monoclonal antibodies MBP 134 and maftivimab, as well as the antiviral remdesivir, are being considered for treatment, while the oral antiviral obeldesivir is being prioritized for prevention within a clinical study. Two candidate vaccines have also been identified for evaluation once doses become available.
WHO has stressed the importance of community engagement in ending transmission of the virus, which has a fatality rate of between 30% and 50%. Seeking care early can make a significant difference in the outcome of the disease, as evidenced by the recovery of several individuals in Ituri province. WHO’s Director-General, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, has called for solidarity in the fight against Ebola, emphasizing the importance of early diagnosis and access to medical care.
Overall, the situation in DRC remains challenging, but the recent recoveries and the ongoing efforts of WHO and its partners provide hope for a successful response to the Ebola outbreak. With continued vigilance, collaboration, and community engagement, it is possible to contain the spread of the virus and prevent further loss of life.
