The World Health Organization (WHO) emphasizes the critical role of trust-building and laboratory testing in combating the ongoing Ebola outbreak affecting the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and neighboring Uganda. The rapid, deadly epidemic is caused by the rare Bundibugyo Ebola virus strain.
As of June 8, the DRC reported 550 confirmed cases and 101 deaths. Dr. Abdirahman Mahamud, WHO Director of Health Emergencies Alert and Response Operations, shared positive news, stating, “We have cumulatively 19 recovered patients, which shows that early diagnosis and treatment saves lives.”
In Ituri Province, which accounts for 94% of the country’s cases, Dr. Mahamud noted that the rise in confirmed cases is attributed to increased testing capacity. He highlighted the establishment of more decentralized laboratories to expedite the analysis of suspected Ebola samples, including a fully functional facility in Mongbwalu.
Uganda has reported 19 confirmed cases and two deaths, along with one probable death. The WHO indicated there is currently no evidence of community transmission in Uganda.
Challenges in Remote Access
As of June 6 in the DRC, 5,040 contacts were under surveillance in Ituri, North Kivu, and South Kivu provinces. Health workers have reached 62% of these contacts, with a target of 90-95% in the coming weeks. Dr. Mahamud described this as “slow and steady progress” built on establishing trust and community engagement.
Local health workers are vital for early case detection and referral to treatment centers. The current system is described as “well-functioning, integrated from surveillance to contact tracing, to the treatment center and the laboratory,” with efficient data sharing.
However, significant challenges persist in remote locations with limited connectivity, where sample transportation to laboratories can take up to eight hours.
“Ituri, North and South Kivu provinces combined are the size of France. If you are in Bunia, you can get your result within one or two hours,” Dr. Mahamud explained. For areas farther from testing facilities, this process can extend to 24 hours.
In a positive development, a laboratory is expected to be operational by Friday in Aru, a remote area near the Ugandan border where samples previously required a 10-hour road journey for testing. This will enable testing closer to the affected population.
The WHO has established five field laboratories in affected areas in the DRC to facilitate closer testing to the outbreak’s epicenter. Supporting government-led efforts, the UN health agency has deployed over 100 personnel to the DRC, delivered more than 40 tons of equipment and medical supplies, and assisted in setting up Ebola treatment centers.
