Democratic Republic of Congo: MSF supports Ebola outbreak response in Kasaï
A new Ebola outbreak has already resulted in 16 deaths.
On Sept. 4, the Ministry of Health (MoH) of Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) officially declared a new outbreak of the Zaire strain of Ebola in Bulape health zone, part of Mweka territory in Kasaï province. This remote region, located in south-central DRC, is difficult to access, with poor road conditions, no cargo airport and limited electricity —factors that are severely complicating the response.
As of Sept. 9, national health authorities reported more than 20 confirmed cases and 16 deaths, including health workers. This marks the 16th Ebola outbreak in DRC since the virus was first identified in the country in 1976.
In coordination with the Congolese MoH and alongside the World Health Organization (WHO), Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) rapidly mobilized teams and joined a multi-agency emergency project to the area to assess the situation and support immediate response efforts.
“Our teams began supporting the general referral hospital in Bulape almost immediately,” says Brice de le Vingne, MSF emergency coordinator. “We helped reinforce triage protocols, supplied essential medicines and personal protective equipment and conducted training in infection prevention and control (IPC) and symptomatic care.”
An Ebola treatment centre (ETC) has been established by MSF and WHO within the hospital compound and the facility began admitting its first patients. The MoH, MSF and WHO teams are jointly providing care.
In addition, MSF teams have visited surrounding health facilities to strengthen IPC protocols and train healthcare workers in how to respond safely and effectively to suspected Ebola cases.
“Currently, a dozen MSF staff are present in Bulape, and we are sending in more people and tons of medical materials,” says de le Vingne. “We’re working hand in hand with Congolese health authorities to evaluate needs and determine where our support might also be required — such as in surveillance, community engagement or vaccination.”
Vaccines and treatment: A critical window
The WHO has confirmed that 2,000 Ebola vaccine doses are currently available in-country, with additional shipments expected in the coming days. MSF stands ready to support vaccination efforts if requested by health authorities.
“This outbreak is a reminder of the threat posed by Ebola in DRC,” says Hilde De Clerck, MSF infectious diseases specialist. “Fortunately, progress in recent years has led to improved treatments, but this hemorrhagic fever can still be fatal for most infected patients without timely and appropriate care. Ensuring access to both treatment and vaccines is essential.”
Ebola is transmitted to humans through direct contact with blood, secretions, organs, or other bodily fluids of infected animals. Human-to-human transmission occurs through close contact with the bodily fluids of infected individuals, particularly via mucous membranes such as the mouth or nose.
This is not the first time Mweka territory has faced an Ebola outbreak — MSF also supported responses to previous outbreaks in the area in 2007 and 2008.
