Ebola epidemic claims over 300 lives in DRC; outbreak spreads to Uganda, France

The Ebola epidemic in the Democratic Republic of Congo has claimed over 300 lives in just over a month, with health authorities confirming 304 deaths from 1,115 infections. The mortality rate stands at 26.3 percent, a significant increase from earlier figures. The Red Cross warns the hemorrhagic fever outbreak has not peaked and could take up to a year to contain.

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The outbreak of the haemorrhagic fever has yet to peak and could take up to a year to contain.

Responders face immense challenges in eastern DRC provinces like Ituri, which have been destabilized by decades of conflict and mass displacement. These conditions favor the disease's spread. Healthcare facilities often operate with limited resources, lacking essential equipment and supplies such as personal protective equipment. Compounding the crisis, at least 78 healthcare workers have been infected, and 18 have died.

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No approved vaccines or treatments exist for the Bundibugyo strain of the virus responsible for the latest outbreak to hit the DRC.

Adding to the complexity, deep mistrust from some local communities hinders containment efforts. The outbreak has also spread to neighboring Uganda, which has reported 20 confirmed cases, and France, with the first case outside Africa involving a Congolese doctor working for an NGO. While the World Health Organization deems the risk of spread in Europe minimal, Air France has suspended flights to Kinshasa.

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Many clinics set up by the WHO and aid agencies are close to full.