Current Ebola outbreak in eastern Africa could become worst in history, warns Jean Kaseya,head of Africa CDC. Speaking at virtual meeting with African leaders and donors in Burundi,Kaseya said immediate action needed or situation might surpass 2014 West Africa and 2018 DRC outbreaks.
So far,at least 837 infections,196 deaths reported in DRC, with Uganda confirming 19 cases,two fatalities. Kaseya stressed urgency: “If we don’t stop the outbreak very soon,it will be worse than what we had in West Africa and eastern DRC.” Previous West African outbreak killed over 11,000,while DRC's 2018 outbreak took more than 2,000 lives.
Outbreak caused by Bundibugyo strain of Ebola virus,less common than Zaire strain. No approved vaccines or treatments for Bundibugyo, leaving health workers with few options for managing symptoms. Raises concerns about outbreak's potential path .
Complicating crisis,ongoing conflict in eastern DRC hampers virus control efforts . Armed groups,especially M23 rebels,create volatile setting,hard for health workers to reach affected areas. Kaseya noted virus spreading faster than healthcare professionals can track, with estimates suggesting tens of thousands of cases undetected. “We are missing more than 26,000 people,and we don’t know where they are,” he said.
Community mistrust,misinformation complicate response. Many locals believe outbreak a government ploy to steal funds,reluctant to report symptoms. Early June,youths stormed hospital,trying to reclaim deceased relatives for burial,destroying medical facilities .
International support weaker than before. In 2014,global donors gave $5.9 billion to $8.9 billion for Ebola. Now,only one-fifth of $518 million needed raised,says Evariste Ndayishimiye,president of Burundi and African Union chair. Decline in aid blamed on geopolitical shifts,funding cuts,especially from U.S .
Local healthcare systems struggling,lack isolation facilities,short on PPE. At least four healthcare workers died treating patients. Trish Newport,deputy manager of Ebola programs for Doctors Without Borders,called for deeper healthcare approach,stressing non-Ebola needs must be addressed to keep community trust.
As outbreak unfolds,health officials on high alert. Without major intervention,this Ebola crisis could spiral into disaster…
