Ebola risk raised to 'very high' in DR Congo

The World Health Organization (WHO) has reclassified the public health risk associated with the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, increasing the level from "high" to "very high."

During an update on Friday, WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus indicated that the risk remains "high" across the broader African region, while the global risk is considered "low."

The outbreak is attributed to the Bundibugyo species of Ebola, which lacks a proven vaccine and has a mortality rate of approximately one-third among those infected. Currently, there have been 750 suspected cases reported, with approximately 177 suspected fatalities linked to this outbreak in the DRC.

In a positive development, scientists at Oxford University in the UK are in the process of developing a new vaccine that could be ready for clinical trials within two to three months. This vaccine employs the same technology utilized in the AstraZeneca Covid vaccine; however, there is no assurance of its effectiveness until it undergoes animal research and subsequent human trials. Reports indicate that animal testing has commenced in Oxford.

The Serum Institute of India has been prepared to mass produce the Ebola vaccine once Oxford is able to provide the necessary medical-grade material.

Additionally, a separate experimental vaccine for Bundibugyo is under development, although it is anticipated that it will require approximately six to nine months before any doses are available for testing. Dr. Vasee Moorthy, WHO’s research and development advisor, referred to this vaccine as "the most promising" earlier this week, noting that it would be comparable to Ervebo, which is currently utilized for the more prevalent Zaire species of Ebola.

Why does Ebola keep breaking out in DR Congo?

In a briefing held in Geneva, Dr. Tedros stated the revised risk assessment now categorizes the national risk as very high, the regional risk as high, and the global risk as low. He informed that there have been 82 confirmed cases in the DRC, along with seven confirmed deaths.

He also remarked on the situation in neighboring Uganda, where there are two confirmed cases of the Bundibugyo species and one death. Dr. Tedros described the situation there as stable, with both Ugandan cases linked to travel from the DRC.

Ebola is a rare yet lethal disease caused by a virus. While it is considered less deadly than other Ebola species, the scarcity of Bundibugyo results in a limited number of resources available to combat it.

The Ebola virus typically infects animals, predominantly fruit bats; however, outbreaks among humans can initiate when individuals consume or come into contact with infected animals.

On Sunday, the WHO declared a public health emergency of international concern, clarifying that the situation does not meet the criteria for a pandemic.

Dr. Tedros underscored the importance of fostering public trust, indicating that violence and insecurity within the conflict-ridden region are hindering the response efforts to the Ebola outbreak. Reports have also identified confirmed Ebola cases in areas controlled by rebel groups in the DRC.

Tedros addressed the media following an incident where irate relatives ignited a fire at a hospital in eastern DRC after health workers refused to release the body of a patient due to contamination risks. Local politician Luc Malembe Malembe recounted witnessing individuals throwing projectiles at Rwampara General Hospital and setting ablaze isolation tents.

Amidst the turmoil, police were compelled to discharge warning shots to disperse the agitated crowd. The body of an Ebola victim poses significant