The Democratic Republic of the Congo is battling its 17th Ebola outbreak, declared a public health emergency of international concern by the World Health Organization on Sunday. Since the virus was discovered in 1976, the DRC has faced this deadly threat 16 times, with a 2018-20 outbreak killing nearly 2,300 people. The current outbreak has recorded 139 suspected deaths and almost 600 suspected cases, predominantly in the north-eastern provinces of Ituri and North Kivu, with two cases in Uganda linked to travelers from the DRC.
Regional Spread and Challenges
There is growing concern about neighboring South Sudan. The WHO believes the disease has been spreading for several months and, given the highly mobile population, warns it could take months to bring under control. While the global risk is considered low, the regional risk is high. The Bundibugyo virus responsible for this outbreak is less deadly than other Ebola strains, such as the one that killed 11,000 people in West Africa from 2014 to 2016. However, studies suggest it still kills about a third of those infected. There are no licensed vaccines or approved treatments, though some are under development. Its rarity may have delayed detection, as authorities initially tested for other strains.
Impact of Conflict and Aid Cuts
Human choices significantly influence disease outbreaks. Eastern DRC has endured years of armed conflict, with a surge in violence over the past year. War hampers access to communities, forces displaced people into crowded and unsanitary conditions, and reduces healthcare access. Combatants often attack health facilities, particularly in Ituri. Distrustful communities, receiving minimal support, are wary of authorities and health workers. Overcoming this requires sensitivity to local beliefs and a surge in medical provision, including routine healthcare and vaccinations to build trust and establish Ebola treatment centers.
Medical workers in the region possess expertise and experience; they need adequate resources, not international teams. However, aid budget cuts by Donald Trump and leaders in the UK and elsewhere have had punitive effects. The International Rescue Committee reports it had to reduce health and outbreak preparedness areas in eastern DRC from five to two due to US cuts, impacting disease surveillance, handwashing stations, and latrines. The funding reduction is blamed directly for delayed virus detection. US criticism of the WHO's response as "a little late" is ironic given the administration's withdrawal from the organization, which removed its largest funding source.
Need for Consistent Support
International governments are now providing emergency-response funding. While essential, controlling deadly diseases requires consistent support for frontline workers and international expertise and monitoring. A Global Preparedness Monitoring Board report on Monday warned that infectious disease outbreaks are becoming more common due to the climate crisis and war, while geopolitical fragmentation weakens collective responses. The DRC's outbreak reminds us that our choices have long-term consequences.
