WHO says Congo's Ebola outbreak started months before it was declared
The WHO reports that the current Ebola outbreak in Congo began in February, months before its official declaration in May, complicating containment efforts. The outbreak is spreading rapidly, with over 4,200 cases and 1,900 deaths, exacerbated by misinformation and challenging local conditions.
Why it matters
The delayed identification of the outbreak highlights the critical need for robust surveillance and the dangers of misinformation in managing public health crises.
BUNIA, Congo -- The fastest-growing Ebola outbreak on record started in February, months before it was officially declared in mid-May, the World Health Organization said Monday as responders in eastern Congo struggle to catch up.
The WHO regional director for Africa, Dr. Mohamed Yakub Janabi, told a news conference that sequencing indicated the outbreak's start. He said some cases early on were wrongly attributed to malaria and typhoid.
“So we are chasing the virus, the virus is ahead of us,” Janabi said.
Confirmed cases of Ebola in this outbreak have reached 4,200, including over 1,900 deaths, according to the latest government figures.
The outbreak declared on May 15 is unlike most previous ones for Ebola because the rare Bundibugyo virus responsible for it has no approved vaccines or treatments. Early testing was conducted for the more common type of Ebola, contributing to delays.
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