By Dickens Okinyi
Despite the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) reporting 48 total Ebola cases (38 laboratory-confirmed infections and 10 probable cases) and 31 deaths, significant efforts are ongoing to contain the outbreak.
“We are two weeks into the outbreak, knowing Ebola, if the situation were not under control, it would have already expanded beyond the Bulape health zone. But it has been geographically limited, and that shows progress in our response,” said Dr. Patrick Okumu Abok, Acting Regional Emergency Director, World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for Africa, during an online weekly briefing.
The outbreak has so far affected 14 localities in Bulape, with no cases recorded in other health zones of Kasai Province.
He noted that the WHO has listed more than 900 contacts who are being monitored daily by contact tracing teams. “Our target in the next seven days is for all new cases to come from already identified contact lists. That would mean we have identified all the chains of transmission,” Dr. Abok said.
Despite the cautious optimism, he warned against complacency. “With Ebola, you can never be fully comfortable. Just one unsafe burial can cause an explosion of new cases. So, we remain on high alert.”
Dr. Sheila Nsasiirwe, WHO Health Emergencies Officer-Immunization, emphasized the importance of vaccines in slowing the spread, noting that having WHO-prequalified vaccines available at the very start of the outbreak has been a game-changer.
“We’ve been grateful to have a pre-qualified vaccine at the start of this outbreak because previously, we would use vaccines that were still undergoing studies,” Dr. Nsasiirwe said. “Now, we have vaccines that are both safe and effective, and they have been made available in time to help us control transmission.”
According to her, 591 individuals had been vaccinated by the evening of 17th September. This included 284 frontline workers and 307 probable contacts. She added that out of the 4,000 doses already received in Kinshasa, more than 1,700 have been transported to Bulape.
“The vaccine we are deploying is called Ervebo, which is a single-dose vaccine that provides immunity in about ten days,” Dr. Nsasiirwe explained. “That makes it particularly suitable during outbreaks. Communities so far have been receptive, and we have not observed significant hesitancy among the target groups.”
Dr. Janet Victoria Diaz, WHO Head, Safe and Scalable Care Unit, highlighted the broader preparedness measures within DRC and the challenges faced by local communities. She pointed out that the outbreak’s location in Kasai poses logistical difficulties because of poor infrastructure and remote terrain. This, she said, has made transporting vaccines, medical supplies, and health teams into Bulape especially challenging.
“Preparedness is not only about vaccines and treatment centers,” Dr. Diaz explained. “We must also strengthen surveillance, infection prevention, and protect our healthcare workers, all while building the trust of communities who are often the first line of defense in any outbreak.”
She added that WHO has been working closely with provincial health teams to expand surveillance into neighboring provinces and ensure early detection of suspected cases. “The people in Kasai live far from major facilities, and that distance increases risk,” Victoria noted. “That is why mobile teams, training of local health workers, and community sensitization are at the heart of this response,” Dr. Diaz said.
She stressed that without community involvement, technical interventions alone cannot succeed. “Ebola control has always depended on trust. When communities are informed, engaged, and supported, they become our greatest allies in stopping transmission,” she said.
Dr. Charles Njuguna, who leads regional preparedness for WHO Africa, highlighted efforts in neighboring countries, given the potential for Ebola to cross borders. He confirmed that 19 neighboring States have been assessed for risk and readiness, with Angola identified as a top priority.
“We all know diseases don’t need permission to cross borders. They don’t need visas,” Dr. Njuguna stressed. “That’s why we are working closely with Angola and other priority countries to strengthen points of entry and conduct population mobility mapping.”
He reported that readiness levels across the region currently stand at 57% capacity across 11 response pillars, with some countries already testing their contingency plans through simulation exercises. “Our goal is to make sure no country is caught unprepared. The systems we are putting in place now will make a difference if there is a cross-border spread.”
Dr. Abok also addressed concerns about community mistrust, which has hindered responses to past epidemics such as HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis. He confirmed that so far, no serious hostility has been recorded in Bulape, though there have been isolated cases of hesitancy.
“Communities are always at the center of outbreak control,” he said. “We have had only three cases of hesitance to enter treatment centers, and each was quickly resolved through community engagement. Religious and traditional leaders are playing a key role in building trust.”
Dr. Abok explained that early rumors had caused some panic and temporary migration, but clear communication helped restore calm. “Once we confirmed the disease and began active community sessions, people understood that this is an outbreak we know how to control,” he added.
Recognizing the daily struggles of affected communities, WHO has partnered with the World Food Program (WFP) to ensure that people under movement restrictions do not go hungry.
“Contacts are advised not to move out of their houses because that increases the risk of further transmission,” Dr. Abok explained. “But we also know that many of them depend on daily work for their food. That is why WFP has stepped in with plans for general food distribution.”
He said the program also covers meals for patients at treatment centers, ensuring that both health and nutritional needs are met during the crisis.
Both Dr. Abok and Dr. Nsasiirwe said that the outbreak is showing signs of slowing but emphasized the importance of sustained effort.
“In the last 24 hours, we did not record a confirmed case,” Dr. Abok said. “It is too early to celebrate, but it is a positive sign. The speed of vaccination, improved testing turnaround, and the high percentage of contacts being followed up are all encouraging.”
