The latest outbreak of the deadly disease, which the WHO has declared a public health emergency of international concern, is spreading faster than health workers can contain it.
In the DRC, the epicenter of the outbreak, the WHO has upgraded its national risk assessment from high to very high, and neighboring countries – including Uganda, where five cases and one death have been confirmed – are at particularly high risk.
Treatment centers in eastern DRC caught fire
However, efforts are hampered, especially in the troubled east of the DRC, by local communities’ distrust of external authorities, which significantly increases the risk of disease transmission.
In recent days, two treatment centers have been set on fire in the region, which has been marked by intense fighting that has displaced more than 100,000 people.
Marie Roseline Belizaire, Director of Emergency Preparedness for WHO Africa, said Pakinomist that the attacks are linked to disinformation campaigns circulating on social media, which significantly slow down case investigations and limit the ability of health teams to reach affected communities.
Anger over Ebola burial rules
The strict protocols surrounding the burial of suspected Ebola victims have been a cause of anger among the population. Funerals involving more than 50 people have been banned by authorities in northeastern DRC, and armed soldiers and police have guarded funerals conducted by health workers.
According to Dr. Belizaire WHO is working with traditional local leaders and healers to intensify community engagement and improve the safety of outside health workers.
The families of the victims are allowed to mourn their loved ones, but to protect them from the virus they are not allowed to touch the body. “We offer the family protective equipment,” explains Dr. Belizaire, “so they can help put their loved one in a body bag and pray over them.”
No vaccines
Although outbreaks date back nearly 20 years, there are still no approved vaccines or therapeutics against the Bundibugyo virus.
The WHO has recommended prioritizing two antibodies in clinical trials, and evaluating the antiviral obeldesivir in a clinical trial as a treatment for people who are in high-risk contact.
The UN health agency is scaling up emergency field operations, including contact tracing, establishing treatment centers, strengthening laboratory capacity, case management, infection prevention and control, risk communication and community engagement. About $3.9 million has been released from the WHO Contingency Fund for Emergencies to help finance these measures.
