Ebola Outbreak in Congo Faces Funding and Access Challenges
BULAPE, Democratic Republic of Congo – A recent ebola outbreak in southern congo is being hampered by limited access and funding shortages, raising concerns among health officials as confirmed cases rapidly increase, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) reported Thursday.
The outbreak, declared earlier this month, has seen confirmed cases jump from 28 to 68, with 16 deaths reported as of Thursday, according to the Africa CDC.A key worry for responders is the potential for spread; the most recent confirmed case was located 70 kilometers (43 miles) from the current epicenter, within the same province. Expanding the response to additional health zones would be “resource-intensive,” warned Africa CDC’s John Nkengasong during a press briefing.
The WHO estimates the cost of responding to the outbreak over the next three months at $20 million, while Congo’s national response plan requires $78 million. These financial needs are notably pressing given recent cuts to U.S. funding for global health initiatives. The U.S. previously played a important role in containing past Ebola outbreaks in the country, including providing up to $11.5 million through USAID in 2021 to support broader African efforts.
Health workers are being prioritized for vaccination, as at least four confirmed cases are among medical personnel. “Given the number of cases and deaths among health care providers, protecting these front line workers is essential to ensure the population receives adequate care,” stated Mathias Mossoko, Congo’s Ebola response coordinator in Bulape.
contact tracing efforts have identified over 600 individuals, with only one confirmed infection among them so far, suggesting the outbreak is currently contained within the province. Officials have not yet declared a public health emergency.
Medical charity Doctors Without Borders is providing support, including establishing an Ebola treatment center at the Bulape hospital and reinforcing triage protocols. The organization is also supplying essential medicines, personal protective equipment, and conducting training in infection prevention and control.