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Direct Relief Monitors Health Outlook in Central Africa as Ebola Cases Climb

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Ebola

A rapid response team in the Democratic Republic of Congo conducts exercises to prepare for exposure to Ebola in 2019. The country is experiencing an outbreak of the virus this year and at least 31 people have died as a result. (Photo by Tania Seburyamo for the World Health Organization)
By Olivia Lewis

Ebola virus has emerged again as a health threat in central Africa, with at least 31 deaths recorded in the Democratic Republic of Congo this month.

As of Sept. 18, there were 48 confirmed and probable cases in the Kasai Province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, according to the World Health Organization. Ebola is highly contagious and spreads through contact with bodily fluids and exposed organs, even after death. Ebola has had a disproportionate effect on health care workers and is heightened in areas that lack infection control precautions and have limited access to personal protective equipment like face shields, gloves, gowns, and body coverings.

According to the World Health Organization, four of the deaths this month were health care workers, including two health workers treating a pregnant patient with several symptoms who was admitted and died from organ failure. Vaccinations of healthcare workers and people testing positive for the virus have begun, according to the organization. The WHO reported that 400 doses of Ebola vaccine were sent to hotspots within the province, but the country has a limited stockpile of the drug and is prioritizing the vaccine for patients who have been confirmed to have the virus. Medical supply management also remains challenging, particularly in rural and vulnerable communities.

Direct Relief is in communication with partner organizations in central Africa to monitor cases and support local health providers if needed.

The World Health Organization has reported 16 instances of the deadly virus in the region since the 1970s. Symptoms of the virus can include fever, fatigue, vomiting, and diarrhea. The last reported outbreak within the country occurred in 2022, resulting in the deaths of all five cases. Currently, there are no known cases in the United States, but the country has issued a travel health notice for those traveling to DRC.

Direct Relief has responded to multiple disease outbreaks globally, including the 2014 West Africa Ebola outbreak, which killed more than 11,000 people across multiple countries.

In response to that outbreak, Direct Relief donated approximately $40 million in medical aid and 476 tons of essential medical supplies and protective equipment for health workers to combat Ebola in Liberia, Guinea, and Sierra Leone. At that time, the three countries had more than 70% of Ebola cases in the region.

Direct Relief continues to support health systems across the continent, including health organizations operating in the DRC. Earlier this year, Direct Relief provided emergency funds to support health staff at Jericho Road Wellness Clinic in Goma during civil unrest in the region and for disease prevention and treatment during a spike in cases of mpox.

Direct Relief has also worked with world health leaders to coordinate access to personal protection equipment and drafted a policy on best practices for Ebola donations. The organization will continue to monitor and respond as medical needs become known.

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