Ebola Outbreak in the Congo: Authorities Report the Fastest Rise in Case Numbers of All Time

According to government figures, there have been 1,759 laboratory-confirmed cases since the start in May. The World Health Organization (WHO) has now confirmed 1,561 Ebola cases in the affected areas, with 600 people dying from the dreaded disease. The number of cases increased by 25 percent within one week, said Wessam Mankoula, a representative of the African health authority Africa CDC. The number of new infections is currently doubling approximately every 28 days, according to the Africa CDC.

For comparison: The current outbreak reached 1,596 cases in its first six weeks; during the same period of the West Africa outbreak from 2013 to 2016, there were 994 cases. That West Africa outbreak is considered the deadliest ever recorded. "We must immediately increase the number of available hospital beds by approximately 50 percent," Mankoula demanded. 95 percent of capacities are exhausted, while between 15 and 30 new suspected cases are reported daily. In total, approximately 1.4 billion US dollars are needed for the disease and humanitarian response, according to the CDC.

The Bundibugyo Variant: No Vaccine, No Specific Therapy

The current outbreak in the Congo involves the rarer Bundibugyo variant of the virus, for which no approved vaccine currently exists. Ebola is a life-threatening disease; the virus is transmitted through physical contact and contact with bodily fluids such as blood, saliva, or vomit. Airborne transmission is considered impossible. However, clinical testing of two antiviral therapies against the virus has been underway since last week.

Working Under Difficult Conditions in Beni

Theresa Berthold, project coordinator for Doctors Without Borders, reports from the epicenter in Beni. "Vor Ort bei uns in Beni stehen wir noch ganz am Anfang. ... eine Eindämmung ist aktuell leider noch nicht in Sicht," said the 39-year-old, who previously worked for the organization in Sierra Leone, Afghanistan, Nigeria, Syria, Chad, and Yemen. "In den vergangenen Wochen ist mir vor Augen geführt worden, wie groß diese Krise wirklich ist, und wie schwer es sein wird, sie einzudämmen." The organization, which received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1999, recently completed twelve rooms in two local health centers for patients coming to them with Ebola symptoms: "Am Tag der Eröffnung der beiden Zentren waren direkt alle Zimmer belegt."

In Beni itself, there is only one laboratory belonging to the Ministry of Health that can test for the Bundibugyo virus. According to the Africa CDC, a capacity of 2,000 Ebola tests per day has now been reached in the Congo, though in practice this varies by region. There are also repeated delays in the collection and transport of samples. According to Doctors Without Borders, the laboratory is lacking diesel for its generator; the supply has now been secured.

In the outlying areas of the city of Beni and surrounding villages, there are repeated attacks on the civilian population by armed groups. Deliveries for aid workers are delayed because trucks must cross front lines: "Zuletzt saßen sie mehrere Tage an einem Kontrollpunkt fest," Berthold said. Within the city itself, the organization works closely with the Ministry of Health. The aid organization Doctors Without Borders plans to set up additional Ebola treatment centers in the Congo.

A pregnant woman with Ebola symptoms was referred to one of the health centers a few days ago. "Sie kam sehr spät, das ungeborene Baby war bereits verstorben und sie selbst war in einem extrem kritischen Zustand. Leider hat auch sie nicht überlebt," Berthold reported. "Auch wenn es noch keine Impfung und keine Medikamente gegen das Bundibugyo-Virus gibt, können wir die Symptome behandeln." However, in the same week, the first person in Beni to survive infection with the Bundibugyo virus was discharged from the hospital.

Outlook: Uganda as an Example, Congo as a Challenge

In neighboring Uganda, which also recorded cases linked to the outbreak in the Congo, one patient is still currently being treated. In total, there were 20 Ebola cases in Uganda linked to the outbreak in the neighboring country; two people died there from the disease. "Gleichzeitig zeige das Beispiel Ugandas, dass die Kontrolle von Ebola möglich sei," the Africa CDC stated.

The Africa CDC also emphasizes that containment is possible but points to enormous logistical and financial gaps. Repeated delays in sample collection and transport, as well as the precarious security situation in the region, are also making the work of aid workers more difficult. With each day that case numbers continue to rise, the risk of the virus spreading beyond the borders of the Congo is growing, according to aid organizations.