Roger Kamba, the health minister of Congo, issued a warning about a new Ebola outbreak in the eastern province of Ituri. This outbreak involves the Bundibugyo strain, known for its high fatality rate and risk of spreading. The strain lacks a vaccine and specific treatment, with a lethality rate that can reach 50 percent.
The outbreak in Ituri, declared by Congo on Friday, marks the 17th recorded in the country since 1976. As of May 15, there have been 246 suspected cases and 80 deaths reported, including fatalities among confirmed positive cases. The National Institute for Biomedical Research has confirmed the presence of the Bundibugyo strain in tested samples.
Health teams have been mobilized to track contacts of confirmed cases and contain the disease in Ituri, neighboring provinces, and border areas. Uganda reported an “imported case” on Friday, involving a Congolese national who died in Kampala.
The Bundibugyo strain, as highlighted by Minister Kamba, presents different symptoms from the Zaire strain. It typically starts with fever, with hemorrhagic signs appearing later. Residents are urged to report any suspected cases promptly, especially if symptoms like fever, vomiting, fatigue, or bleeding occur.
The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has activated immediate response measures following the outbreak. Concerns over further spread have been raised due to population movement, mining-related mobility, insecurity in affected zones, and challenges in contact tracing and infection prevention.
