International concern grows over the Ebola outbreak in Central Africa

The WHO declared an international health emergency after infections were reported in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda and Kinshasa, while the Organization deploys medical and logistical aid in the region.

In the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, there were eight confirmed Ebola cases and 246 suspected cases, in addition to 80 deaths that are still being investigated. The outbreak has spread to other countries on the continent.

In this regard, the World Health Organization (WHO) stated that the Ebola outbreak constitutes a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, owing to the rise in cases, cross-border spread and uncertainty about the scale of the epidemic.

The decision was announced by WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus and was taken following reports of confirmed and suspected infections linked to the Bundibugyo strain of the virus. Although the situation is serious, it does not yet meet the criteria to be considered a pandemic emergency, according to the WHO. 

The organization also warned that the outbreak is probably larger than what has been detected so far, since there are clusters of suspected deaths, a high positivity rate in the samples analyzed and limited knowledge about transmission. According to the WHO, at least four deaths of health workers raised concerns about infection prevention and control measures in hospitals and health centers. 

The WHO also warned that “the outbreak poses a risk to neighboring countries due to high population mobility, trade links and persistent humanitarian challenges in the affected regions.”

The WHO does not recommend travel restrictions

Although the organization does not recommend restrictions on international travel or trade, it urged countries to strengthen surveillance, preparedness and community engagement. It also calls for accurate public information to be ensured. 

The authorities of the DRC and Uganda, for their part, received support from the WHO to activate emergency response mechanisms, strengthen contact tracing and expand the capacity to treat infected people. 

Health authorities also reported that there are still no approved vaccines or specific treatments for the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, which underscores the need to accelerate research and clinical trials.

In addition, the WHO announced that it will convene an Emergency Committee to issue new recommendations. At the same time, global health authorities are stepping up efforts to contain the outbreak and prevent its spread.

The work of the blue helmets

In just a few days, the peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo deployed 30 tons of medical equipment to the outbreak area and stepped up information campaigns among the local population together with the communities themselves.

The outbreak caused by the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola has now left 139 dead and close to 600 suspected cases. Because of this emergency, the UN humanitarian agencies activated a rapid response that includes the logistical and operational deployment of MONUSCO peacekeepers.

As reported by the WHO, since May 17 the peacekeeping mission has operated an airlift to transport emergency supplies from Nairobi to Bunia, in the heart of the affected area. In addition, the organization has deployed more than 35 experts and responders on the ground.

The intervention is not limited to the transport of supplies. MONUSCO personnel, including military, police and civilian staff, are carrying out prevention and public information campaigns aimed at reducing the risk of infection and strengthening the population’s preparedness as the virus advances.

One of these campaigns is taking place in Tchabi, in the territory of Irumu and about 120 kilometers from Bunia, where health brigades held community meetings to explain basic prevention measures, such as personal hygiene, frequent handwashing and the dangers associated with eating wild animal meat. Similar actions were later carried out in Fataki, with the participation of both local communities and displaced people.

Using loudspeakers and neighborhood walkabouts, the teams disseminate information on symptoms, modes of transmission and care protocols. In a statement, the peacekeeping mission explained that these initiatives seek to reduce panic, strengthen the response capacity of communities and protect the most vulnerable populations in particular.

International organizations also warned that difficulties in accessing some regions, together with internal displacement caused by the armed conflicts in the east of the country, complicate epidemiological monitoring and increase the risk of spread. For this reason, humanitarian agencies insist on the need to maintain safe corridors for health assistance and to guarantee sufficient resources to contain the outbreak.

Guillermo Whpei

President of Fundación para la Democracia