An Ebola outbreak which has killed at least 131 people in the Democratic Republic of Congo may be spreading faster than originally thought, a World Health Organization (WHO) representative has warned.
Dr. Anne Ancia informed the BBC that as investigations continue, the situation appears to be more severe with cases identified in various locations.
Currently, health officials report over 513 suspected cases in DR Congo, in addition to one death occurring in neighboring Uganda.
Analysis from the MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease indicates that there has been significant under-detection, suggesting that the actual number of cases could exceed 1,000.
WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus declared the outbreak an international emergency last week, expressing serious concern about its scale and pace.
Indeed, there are fears that the outbreak may have been in circulation for several weeks prior to its detection on April 24.
Unfortunately, there is no vaccine for the strain causing this outbreak, prompting the WHO to explore potential treatments that might offer protection.
In an interview with BBC World Service Newsday, Ancia highlighted the challenges posed by security issues in Ituri province, which is the epicenter of the outbreak and experiences significant population movement, complicating investigative efforts.
The outbreak has expanded, reaching South Kivu province, which has been enduring a prolonged humanitarian crisis.
Additionally, a case has surfaced in Goma, the largest city in eastern DR Congo, which houses around 850,000 residents and is currently controlled by Rwandan-supported rebels.
Widespread insecurity across several provinces exacerbates the risk of virus transmission as people frequently relocate.
In response, several neighboring countries are strengthening border screenings and advancing preparations of health facilities. Rwanda, for instance, has shut its borders with DR Congo.
An American individual, reportedly missionary group doctor Peter Stafford, is undergoing evacuation from DR Congo after displaying symptoms over the past weekend, and Germany's Health Ministry has confirmed this American is being transferred to their country for treatment.
Furthermore, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is working on evacuation plans for at least six more Americans who were exposed to the virus.
Ebola, a virus leading to symptoms similar to the flu—such as fever, headache, and fatigue—poses a serious threat, especially since the Bundibugyo strain responsible for this surge has only triggered two prior outbreaks, claiming about one-third of those infected.
Since its discovery in 1976, the most prominent outbreak occurred from 2014 to 2016 in West Africa, infecting over 28,600 individuals and causing 11,325 deaths with the Zaire strain, for which a vaccine exists.
