Terror tightens its grip on regions in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo ravaged by the Ebola virus, as locals express their anguish, with one resident describing the situation as torturous.
The death toll continues to climb amid concerns that the outbreak may have silently spread over an extended period. Residents are living in fear as the lethal disease rapidly advances, with one individual voicing their dread over the swift rate of fatalities. As of the latest update on Tuesday, there were 514 suspected cases, with 136 fatalities attributed to the virus, according to official reports.
A fatality has also been reported in neighboring Uganda. Cases have been detected in Butembo city, rebel-controlled Goma in North Kivu province, and South Kivu province.
The suspected index case is a deceased nurse from the provincial capital Bunia, laid to rest in Mongwalu. The majority of suspected cases and deaths have been concentrated in these areas and neighboring Rwampara.
During a recent survey of the region, a taxi driver shared his fear with the BBC, expressing deep concern over the rapid increase in deaths and the prevailing sense of apprehension. Another resident of Rwampara emphasized the common fear in the community due to the outbreak and suggested the distribution of protective masks.
Health authorities revealed that several deaths occurred within the community without being reported promptly, leading to delays in investigations. Community alerts were officially registered only from May 8, as per the health ministry.
Dr. Samuel Roger Kamba, the Congolese Health Minister, toured the epicenter of the outbreak in Ituri province and highlighted the ineffectiveness of community-level reporting. He stressed the importance of understanding the circumstances surrounding illnesses and deaths within the community to prevent further unreported cases.
The current outbreak, caused by the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, marks the 17th occurrence in DR Congo. Unlike the more common Zaïre species, Bundibugyo has only caused two previous outbreaks in 2007 and 2012, resulting in a mortality rate of around 30%.
Symptoms of the Bundibugyo strain may include severe bleeding and high fever. However, health professionals caution that the virus can present with less obvious symptoms, leading to misdiagnoses as Malaria and potentially enabling silent transmission. In Mongwalu, some deaths were erroneously linked to witchcraft, leading to local superstitions like the “coffin phenomenon.”
Despite Dr. Kamba’s recent visit to Bunia, residents are dissatisfied with the slow progress in containing the outbreak. Concerns were raised about the lack of fully operational Ebola treatment centers in Bunia, Butembo, and Goma, major population centers in the affected regions.
Residents in Goma, the largest city in eastern DR Congo, revealed widespread noncompliance with recommended health measures, such as avoiding physical contact, limiting gatherings, and practicing regular handwashing. The lack of adherence to safety guidelines was evident, with few individuals seen wearing face masks in public spaces.
Some locals prioritize daily survival over following preventive measures, citing challenges exacerbated by the ongoing conflict in eastern DR Congo. Save the Children highlighted the Ebola crisis as a significant additional burden in an already complex situation, with the region facing humanitarian crises and displacement of hundreds of thousands of people, further straining already fragile healthcare systems.