Fear has gripped Ebola-hit areas in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo as the suspected number of deaths continues to rise, as officials say they are struggling to catch up to an outbreak that may have previously been spreading undetected.
Ebola has tortured us, says a taxi rider in his late twenties from Rwampara. I am scared because people are dying very fast... We are really afraid. Following a visit to Ituri province, the epicenter of the outbreak, Health Minister Dr. Samuel Roger Kamba acknowledged that health teams were playing catch-up with the virus.
The presumed patient zero is a nurse who died in the provincial capital Bunia but was buried in Mongwalu, where most suspected cases and deaths have been reported. As of Tuesday, health officials reported 514 suspected cases, with 136 believed to have died from the virus. There is also a confirmed case in neighboring Uganda.
Many local residents are calling for protective measures, with one stating, It would be good if they gave us masks to protect ourselves. However, the spread of the virus presents serious challenges, especially in conflict-affected areas where basic public health measures are often ignored. The outbreak raises significant fears as it coincides with ongoing humanitarian crises in the region.
Save the Children has highlighted the dire situation, stating, It is in an area of conflict, an area of humanitarian crisis, with hundreds of thousands of people displaced, and healthcare systems are already severely compromised. As the outbreak escalates, the urgency for a coordinated health response and community support becomes critical.
