Cases of Ebola are being detected in new health zones daily, indicating the epidemic’s extensive reach and the high mobility of the population in the region, according to Dr. Olivier le Polain, Head of Epidemiology and Analytics at the World Health Organization (WHO).
In the approximately three weeks since the rapidly spreading outbreak was confirmed, health authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have reported 676 cases and 136 deaths from the rare and deadly Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus.
Infections have been identified across an area of roughly 1,000 kilometers, from Aru in the northern Ituri province to Miti Murhesa in South Kivu. Dr. le Polain stated that as of yesterday, 29 health zones were affected, signifying a continued expansion of Ebola’s presence, with new areas in North Kivu also reporting cases.
Those managing the outbreak response highlight that many young people in the region suffer from malnutrition and are not vaccinated against preventable diseases.
This vulnerability is exacerbated by an ongoing humanitarian crisis in the resource-rich region, a consequence of decades of conflict between government forces and armed militias, leaving these children highly susceptible to illness.
Homes Become New Targets
While most cases have been among adults, an increase in household transmissions is anticipated as the epidemic evolves, potentially leading to more child infections in the coming days, warned Dr. Douglas Noble, UNICEF Global Lead for Health Emergencies and Ebola Global Incident Manager.
Dr. Noble emphasized that these children are already highly vulnerable, and the community’s capacity to absorb additional stress factors was already at a breaking point. He noted that over half of children under five in the Ituri province are ‘chronically malnourished.’
Zero-Dose Vaccinations
More than a fifth of children are also considered ‘zero-dose,’ meaning they have not received the initial dose of the diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis vaccine.
The exact number of children who may be affected is difficult to estimate due to a lack of sufficient surveillance data.
However, past Ebola outbreaks in the DRC have shown that children constitute a significant proportion of cases and an even larger proportion of deaths. The youngest children face the highest mortality rates, with many being orphaned or separated from their caregivers, Dr. Noble explained.
As part of its six-month response plan to assist 3.7 million people, UNICEF has dispatched eight cargo planes carrying over 100 tons of urgent humanitarian supplies, supported by the European Union.
The emergency cargo includes personal protective equipment for frontline health workers, medicines, hygiene supplies, and medical materials to combat the virus in affected communities.
‘Schools Can Remain Open’
UNICEF officials stressed that children who can attend school should continue to do so, noting that while Ebola can be fatal, it transmits very differently from COVID-19, spreading primarily through bodily fluids.
There is no reason for a school to close. Infection prevention and control measures should be implemented, and education provided in schools, among teachers and staff, and for the children themselves.
Dr. le Polain pointed out that unlike the Ebola-Zaire strains, there is no approved treatment or vaccine specifically for the Bundibugyo virus. This underscores the need for greater support for surveillance efforts to control transmission. He stated that currently, the contact tracing coverage is just over 70%, a significant improvement from previous weeks but still too low to ensure adequate control.
The WHO official further explained that increasing local testing capacity is another critical factor in overcoming the health threat, given that the full scale of the epidemic is not yet clear. He noted that a testing laboratory in Beni processed 500 tests on Thursday alone, which will help provide clarity on the scale of the epidemic in Beni.
UNICEF has already reached over 160,000 households through the deployment of more than 1,600 community health workers and mobilization officers, along with 24 decontamination teams.
‘We can save children from the worst of this epidemic. Rapid detection, strong pediatric care, contact tracing, and informed and engaged communities can help bring this epidemic under control,’ said Dr. Noble. ‘What we need now are resources, humanitarian access, and trusted communities to succeed.’
