New Ebola Outbreak Raises Alarm in Southern Congo
GOMA, Congo — A serious outbreak of the Ebola virus has emerged in southern Congo, raising urgent concerns among health authorities and humanitarian organizations due to a severe lack of funding and necessary resources to effectively address the health crisis.
The World Health Organization (WHO) reported on Wednesday that since the outbreak was officially declared on September 4, there have been 57 confirmed cases and 35 fatalities, resulting in a staggering fatality rate of over 61%.
This outbreak marks the first case of Ebola in Kasai province in nearly two decades and comes from a region known for its challenging infrastructure and limited access to health services, located more than 1,000 kilometers (620 miles) from the capital city, Kinshasa.
“We urgently need our partners and donors to step up and support this lifesaving response to ensure we can contain the outbreak quickly and safeguard the most vulnerable communities,” remarked Susan Nzisa Mbalu, the communications head for the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies in Africa.
This week, the IFRC issued an appeal for 20 million Swiss francs (approximately $25 million) to combat the outbreak, targeting assistance for about 965,000 individuals. The organization highlighted the strain on health facilities, which are overwhelmed and critically lacking in essentials like clean water and protective gear.
In the Bulape health zone, the epicenter of the outbreak, the sole treatment center is already exceeding its capacity, functioning at 119% full.
Concerns have also arisen regarding potential impacts stemming from recent cuts to U.S. funding. Historically, the U.S. has played a crucial role in supporting Congo during past Ebola outbreaks, including a significant effort in 2021, when USAID allocated up to $11.5 million for initiatives across Africa.
While IFRC’s Nzisa Mbalu noted it’s still early to gauge the extent of donor contributions towards the Ebola response, the organization has managed to allocate 1.75 million Swiss francs ($2.2 million) in emergency funds so far.
Although some minimal support has been provided by the U.S. government, exact details remain unspecified, according to Mathias Mossoko, the Ebola Response Coordinator in Bulape.
WHO spokesperson Tarik Jasarevic informed the Associated Press that funding allocated for the outbreak response currently includes a $2 million emergency fund and approximately $2.3 million from the U.K., Germany, and the Gavi vaccine alliance. This amount is significantly less than the WHO’s forecasted $20 million needed for the next three months.
“Without immediate support, gaps in operations will persist, jeopardizing efforts to contain the outbreak and safeguard vulnerable groups,” stated Jasarevic.
According to the Congolese authorities, the national response plan to combat the outbreak is estimated to require $78 million.
“Treating Ebola demands enormous resources, even for a single patient,” said Jean Paul Mbantshi, chief medical officer for the Bulape health zone. “We urgently need ambulances to transport patients from remote areas to health facilities before they become highly infectious. Health workers also need additional protective equipment, medicines, and vaccines.”
As reported by the WHO, as of September 21, only 1,740 individuals across three health zones in the Kasai province—Bulape, Bulambae, and Mweka—have been vaccinated. Notably, Bulape zone, home to over 212,000 residents according to 2020 UN figures, has seen a much lower vaccination rate than necessary.
The slow implementation of the vaccination campaign has primarily been attributed to logistical hurdles. In Bulape, the inadequate storage facilities have necessitated the transportation of vaccines in small batches, leading to delays in vaccination efforts.
Amitié Bukidi, chief medical officer of the Mweka health zone, underscored that the response is still in its infancy, with most cases occurring outside established health centers. “We aim to enhance our community outreach, especially to inform local leaders and connect with farmers in the most remote areas,” he said, emphasizing the need for motorcycles to reach these populations.
“The need for support remains critical,” he added. “Involvement from USAID would be a tremendous overall benefit.”
Reported by Ruth Alonga and Mark Banchereau from Dakar, Senegal.
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