Recovery and Challenges in the Ebola Outbreak in Democratic Republic of Congo

BUNIA, Democratic Republic of Congo (AP) — Five patients have recovered from a rare strain of Ebola, according to the director of the World Health Organization (WHO). This announcement came during a visit to Bunia, a city facing an Ebola outbreak.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus highlighted the situation on Sunday during the opening of a new Ebola treatment center in Bunia, the capital of Ituri province. ‘Four people will be discharged today, and one was discharged the day before yesterday,’ he noted. He added that while the development of vaccines and treatments continues, recovery from Ebola is possible.

The WHO reported on Friday that a patient had recovered from the Bundibugyo virus, a type of Ebola identified in this outbreak, which currently lacks approved treatment or vaccine. This marks the first documented recovery from the Bundibugyo variant. Official figures indicate 906 suspected cases and 223 suspected deaths. Uganda, a neighboring country, confirmed nine cases and one death as reported by its Ministry of Health.

The virus is spreading faster than the response efforts, despite better-organized health facilities and additional support. This was reported by Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) on Saturday, which called for an immediate increase in diagnostic testing, quicker deployment of humanitarian workers, and continuous access to medical supplies.

Healthcare workers face challenges beyond the virus. Residents’ anger over stringent medical protocols for handling victims’ bodies, which conflict with local burial practices, has led to at least three attacks on health centers.

Community involvement is crucial in tackling the outbreak, as emphasized by Tedros during the opening ceremony on Sunday. ‘If people visit health centers when symptoms arise, they can receive support and recover. The key is to seek help promptly,’ he stated. ‘We can stop this Ebola, and anyone affected can recover. It involves everyone, and every citizen must participate,’ added the WHO chief.

Ongoing attacks in Ituri by the Allied Democratic Forces, allied with the Islamic State group, along with ethnic militia coalitions, have impeded response efforts.

Cases have emerged in the Congolese provinces of North Kivu and South Kivu, south of Ituri. The M23 rebel group, backed by Rwanda, controls key cities like Goma and Bukavu, reporting two cases.

“Our final message to the Ituri community is one of hope,” said Pierre Akilimali, incident manager at the National Institute of Public Health of Congo. During Sunday’s inauguration, he mentioned, “With current symptomatic treatment, we observe patient recoveries.”

Davin Ambitapio, another doctor at the treatment center, expressed optimism. “We are hopeful indeed. The virus here is less complex than those encountered in the past. With support from all partners, we believe this outbreak can be controlled promptly,” he stated.