The number of suspected Ebola cases in Congo’s southern Kasai province has more than doubled in a week, according to Africa’s top public health agency. The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced that the number of suspected cases has increased from 28 to 68, with the outbreak spreading from two to four districts. The death toll currently stands at 16.
The outbreak, confirmed a week ago, is the first in Congo in three years and the province’s first in over a decade. It was announced after a pregnant woman was confirmed to have been infected in the district of Bulapé. The Kasai province, a remote part of the Congo with poor road networks, is over 1,000 kilometers from the nation’s capital, Kinshasa.
Fighting in eastern Congo could complicate efforts to contain the disease, which can spread rapidly due to the proximity and density of villages and provinces. Dr. Ngashi Ngongo, a principal advisor with Africa CDC, expressed concerns about the challenges in containing the outbreak. The World Health Organization has sent experts alongside Congo’s Rapid Response Team to Kasai to strengthen disease surveillance, provide treatment, and monitor infection prevention and control measures.
The Central African country has a history of Ebola epidemics, with the latest outbreak being the 16th in the country and the 7th in Kasai province. A previous outbreak between 2018 and 2020 in eastern Congo killed over 1,000 people. Local authorities in Kasai are working to contain the spread of the disease, with public movements curtailed and checkpoints set up at the main entrances to Tshikapa, the capital of the province.
Residents of Tshikapa have expressed concerns about the impact of the outbreak on their living conditions. Emmanuel Kalonji, a resident, noted that some people had fled the villages but then returned, highlighting the limited resources available. However, Ethienne Makashi, the local official in charge of water, hygiene, and sanitation in Bulapé, reported that one case is showing good progress, giving hope to those receiving care.
The situation in Kasai province remains a concern, with the outbreak’s spread and the challenges in containing it. The international community, including the World Health Organization, is working with local authorities to provide support and contain the outbreak. As the situation continues to unfold, the focus remains on strengthening disease surveillance, providing treatment, and monitoring infection prevention and control measures to prevent further spread of the disease.
