The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has now extended to Sud-Ubangi, its seventh province. Health officials are increasingly alarmed as the outbreak continues to escalate.
Growing Concerns Over Regional Spread
It worries me. … Our province borders Congo-Brazzaville and the Central African Republic. We fear it may spread regionally.
Jean-Jacques Mbungani, Local Lawmaker
On Thursday, Jean-Rene Galekwa Vundawe, governor of Sud-Ubangi, confirmed the presence of the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola in a sample taken from the Bulu health district. This strain is less common but has led to the current outbreak.
- 7,022 confirmed cases of Ebola reported.
- 3,398 deaths attributed to the outbreak.
A recent case involved a 23-year-old man who traveled from South Kivu, a province already grappling with confirmed Ebola cases. After moving through Rwanda and Uganda, he arrived in Sud-Ubangi, where he later died.
Local officials are particularly worried about the potential for the virus to spread to neighboring countries. Mbungani pointed out the existing health challenges, including insecurity and displaced populations, complicating containment efforts.
As of now, the outbreak is reported to be out of control, with the World Health Organization indicating it could surpass the deadliest outbreak recorded from 2014 to 2016.
Vaccination efforts have begun using the Ervebo vaccine, effective against a different Ebola strain, while trials for a vaccine specific to the Bundibugyo virus are underway.