Ebola outbreak intensifies in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo

The Ebola epidemic in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo is intensifying, with significant outbreaks reported in the Ituri and North Kivu provinces. In the Mambasa territory, specifically in Biakato, eighteen deaths were reported in late September 2019, though officials noted these figures required caution due to the difficulty in distinguishing confirmed from probable cases.

Doctors Without Borders (MSF) has warned that healthcare capacities are being overwhelmed. North Kivu now accounts for nearly 40% of the country's new confirmed cases, up from 24% in late August. The virus in circulation is the Bundibugyo strain, for which there is currently no specific vaccine or treatment.

The response faces severe logistical and security challenges. In areas like Biakato, the lack of mobile laboratories forces samples to be transported over 100 kilometers to Komanda, delaying diagnoses. Additionally, many positive cases are being treated in non-specialized facilities due to a shortage of beds in dedicated centers, increasing the risk of further transmission. The World Health Organization has noted an exponential progression in the disease, with deaths doubling weekly during certain periods of the outbreak.