Ebola epidemic has not yet peaked Red Cross warns

The Ebola epidemic in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo has not yet reached its peak, and the outbreak could potentially last for another year, according to a warning from the Red Cross. Bruno Michon, operations manager for the Ebola outbreak for the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, expressed uncertainty about the epidemic's exact spread but believes the peak is still ahead.

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It's very difficult to know exactly to what extent the epidemic is spreading ... but yes, the peak is, I think, not behind us, but in front of us.

"We are afraid that this could last one year" before the outbreak is contained, Michon told reporters via video link from eastern Congo. The three affected provinces have so far reported 782 confirmed cases and 181 deaths. This toll already positions the current outbreak as the third deadliest on record.

However, medical charity Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) stated that the government's figures likely underestimate the actual number of cases and fatalities. Aid groups and some Congolese officials share this view. MSF highlighted that testing remains "one of the most significant weaknesses in the response."

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We are afraid that this could last one year.

The World Health Organization also noted insufficient hospital capacity for treating and isolating Ebola patients. Currently, there are only 14 treatment facilities across nine health zones in Ituri, North Kivu, and South Kivu provinces. Despite this limited infrastructure, the outbreak has already spread to 31 of the 90 designated health zones in these provinces.

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Testing remains "one of the most significant weaknesses in the response."