Ebola is spreading again in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, where conflict, mistrust and the lack of a vaccine have made the outbreak hard to contain.<\/p>\n
The virus, transmitted through close contact and bodily fluids, can cause a fatal haemorrhagic fever and has killed more than 15,000 people in Africa over the past 50 years.<\/p>\n
Here is a look back at developments during the latest outbreak:<\/p>\n
– How did it begin? –<\/p>\n
The DRC’s 17th Ebola outbreak was officially declared on May 15 but is believed to have been spreading under the radar for weeks.<\/p>\n
The World Health Organization had already been alerted on May 5 to a mysterious and deadly illness in the mining town of Mongbwalu, where four health workers died within days.<\/p>\n
In northeastern Ituri province, locals told AFP of unexplained deaths that had been fuelling rumours of a “mystical illness” as far back as March.<\/p>\n
Health authorities initially struggled to identify the virus. Early cases were mistaken for more common diseases like malaria, typhoid or yellow fever.<\/p>\n
Initial lab tests in Bunia, Ituri’s capital, also came back negative because local facilities could only detect the Zaire strain of Ebola — not the Bundibugyo strain responsible for this outbreak.<\/p>\n
By May 15, 246 suspected cases, including 80 deaths, had already been recorded in conflict-weary Ituri, the epicentre of the outbreak.<\/p>\n
The same day, neighbouring Uganda reported a related death involving a Congolese traveller, raising fears of a cross-border spread.<\/p>\n
Now, at 19 confirmed cases and two deaths, the country has closed its border with the DRC.<\/p>\n
The scale and speed of the outbreak alarmed experts, and the WHO swiftly declared a global health emergency, warning the outbreak could last months.<\/p>\n
Africa CDC, the African Union’s health agency, has warned that up to 10 countries in the region could be at risk.<\/p>\n
– A vaccine? –<\/p>\n
The Bundibugyo strain of the virus has no approved vaccine or specific treatment.<\/p>\n
Existing Ebola vaccines, developed between 2018 and 2019, are only effective against the Zaire strain, which caused previous major outbreaks.<\/p>\n
Health workers must rely on basic measures such as isolating patients and tracing contacts — a challenge in one of the DRC’s most unstable regions.<\/p>\n
The nature of the disease also makes it hard to detect, as symptoms first resemble malaria, with haemorrhagic signs showing later.<\/p>\n
“Doctors were confused,” said Congolese virologist Jean\u2011Jacques Muyembe, who helped discover Ebola in 1976.<\/p>\n
But Africa CDC says a vaccine targeting Bundibugyo could be available by the end of the year, with clinical trials under consideration.<\/p>\n
– Challenges on the ground? –<\/p>\n
The outbreak is unfolding in Ituri, a region plagued by militia violence and weak state presence.<\/p>\n
Armed groups linked to the Islamic State and old local militias regularly carry out attacks, forcing thousands to flee into displacement camps, where disease can spread quickly.<\/p>\n
Africa CDC says there have been more than 200 confirmed deaths so far, though testing capacity is weak and aid groups say the toll is likely higher.<\/p>\n
Ituri is also marked by high mobility linked to mining, which makes tracking and tracing infections even harder.<\/p>\n
Many hospitals in the region still lack essential equipment, especially isolation tents for patients.<\/p>\n
In Bunia, AFP reporters saw patients with haemorrhagic symptoms arriving on the back of motorbike taxis, often without protective equipment.<\/p>\n
Insecurity has stunted the health response, with overstretched medical teams struggling to access affected areas.<\/p>\n
Authorities temporarily suspended flights to and from Bunia, slowing the delivery of aid and medical teams to the area.<\/p>\n
NGO Doctors Without Borders has criticised the sluggish response, warning of gaps in coordination.<\/p>\n
– Can it be contained? –<\/p>\n
Health authorities say it can, but major obstacles remain. <\/p>\n
The Congolese government has pushed back against what it called “alarmist” reactions, insisting the situation is under control.<\/p>\n
But in a region where the state is largely absent, health workers are shunned by local communities, who prefer traditional healers.<\/p>\n
Incidents in hospitals have seen families trying to take the bodies of relatives who died of the virus, increasing transmission risks.<\/p>\n
And experts warn the true extent of the outbreak remains unclear, especially as it has spread across three provinces and into neighbouring Uganda.<\/p>\n
Travel measures, including border closures, flight suspensions and visa restrictions, have been introduced by several countries.<\/p>\n
For now, containing the outbreak will depend on traditional measures in communities where fear of disease and scepticism of health authorities run deep.<\/p>\n
But WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus recently struck an optimistic tone, saying: “With continued collaboration, I am confident this outbreak can be brought under control.”<\/p>\n
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