DRC’s Ebola outbreak began months before it was officially declared, says WHO

What the report says

The World Health Organization says the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo began in February, months before officials declared it in mid-May. In comments reported by Al Jazeera, WHO Africa regional director Mohamed Janabi said sequencing showed the earlier start, and that some initial illnesses were misdiagnosed as malaria and typhoid. The outbreak is now described as the fastest-growing Ebola outbreak on record.

According to the article, Congo’s government has confirmed about 4,200 cases and at least 1,900 deaths. The current outbreak is unusual because it involves the Bundibugyo strain, which does not have an approved vaccine or treatment. Health workers initially tested for the more common Ebola type, adding to delays in recognition and response.

The response has been hindered by insecurity, unpaid health workers, misinformation, shortages of protective gear and difficult access to remote areas. The story also notes that displaced communities face poor water access, complicating basic prevention measures. WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said recently that the virus is spreading faster than efforts to contain it.

Al Jazeera also reported that WHO has recommended full-scale human trials of the Ervebo vaccine, which is licensed for another Ebola strain and may offer some protection against Bundibugyo. The outbreak adds to longstanding concern that Ebola is often detected late, as seen in the 2014-2016 West Africa epidemic.