KINSHASA/NAIROBI – According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the current Ebola epidemic in the Democratic Republic of Congo began as early as February, several months before it was officially declared. This was stated by Mohamed Janabi, WHO's regional director for Africa, citing genetic sequencing of the virus. The information comes from the Africanews website.
According to Janabi, genetic analysis made it possible to retrospectively determine when the virus began to spread. However, the first cases were not correctly identified and doctors diagnosed them as malaria, typhoid fever, or an infection with a different type of Ebola virus. "This is a four-month delay. So we are playing catch-up with the virus. The virus is ahead of us," Janabi said at a press conference in the city of Bunia in eastern Congo.
Patients Seek Medical Help Too Late
WHO points out that one of the main problems is the late seeking of medical help. Many infected people live outside major cities, where healthcare infrastructure is limited or completely absent. Therefore, patients have to travel long distances before they can reach a hospital. As a result, some patients arrive at the hospital in very serious condition, which significantly complicates their treatment and also increases the risk of further spread of the virus.
The epidemic was officially declared in the Democratic Republic of Congo on May 15th. According to data cited by TASS, more than 4,300 cases have been confirmed so far, and over 2,000 people have died. The current epidemic is caused by the Bundibugyo ebolavirus, for which, according to available information, there are no approved vaccines or specific treatments.
Violence and Mistrust Complicate Efforts to Combat the Epidemic
The situation is further complicated by armed groups operating in the region, a lack of protective equipment, and distrust among some of the local population towards healthcare workers. The staff involved in responding to the epidemic are also facing problems. According to Radio Okapi, workers in Kisangani have said that they have not received state salaries since the beginning of the outbreak. Partner organizations, according to their testimony, only cover expenses related to transportation.
According to WHO, the current epidemic is the fastest-spreading Ebola epidemic in history. For comparison, during the epidemic in West Africa from 2014 to 2016, which was the most tragic in terms of casualties, the number of deaths reached approximately 1,000 about eight months after its start. The situation in Congo therefore poses a serious challenge for the local healthcare system and international organizations. WHO also warns that if cases are detected with a delay, the virus may gain further ground over healthcare teams.
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