Brazzaville: The Ebola outbreak raging through the Democratic Republic of the Congo is spiralling out of control, with health authorities fearing a catastrophic escalation as deaths continue to mount and containment efforts collapse under pressure. Around 220 people are suspected to have died from the virus so far, while more than 900 suspected infections have been reported across the country.
World Health Organisation chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warned that delays in identifying the outbreak had severely damaged response efforts and pushed the situation dangerously beyond control. The virus, initially concentrated in Ituri province, has now spread nearly 200 kilometres beyond the original epicentre, intensifying fears of wider regional transmission. In neighbouring Uganda, seven confirmed cases have already been detected.
Health officials are facing an especially grim challenge because the current “Bundibugyo” strain of Ebola has no proven vaccine or effective treatment. The lack of medical protection has left frontline workers struggling to contain infections spreading at an alarming rate.
Violence and public anger have further crippled emergency operations. Attacks on healthcare centres have been reported in Congo, while protests over restrictions on the burial of Ebola victims have erupted into unrest in several areas. Authorities say these confrontations are undermining lifesaving containment work.
In a desperate attempt to slow transmission, the Congolese government has banned gatherings of more than 50 people in northeastern regions. Officials admitted that despite intensified emergency measures, the speed of the outbreak overwhelmed response systems.
Meanwhile, India on Thursday dispatched the first tranche of urgent medical supplies and protective kits to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
In a post on X, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar expressed India's commitment to supporting Africa in responding to the emerging Ebola public health emergency.
"India dispatched the first tranche of urgent medical supplies and protective kits to Africa CDC today. Committed to support Africa in responding to the emerging Ebola public health emergency," EAM Jaishankar posted on X.
Ebola disease (EBOD) is a rare but severe illness in humans and is often fatal, IANS reported.