Ebola spread in DRC linked to delayed detection, insecurity — Africa CDC

The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) says delayed detection, diagnostic challenges, insecurity and community mistrust contributed to Ebola’s rapid spread in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

Yap Boum II, head of emergency preparedness and response, Africa CDC, said this on Thursday during a webinar on the ongoing Ebola outbreak in DRC.

Mr Boum said the outbreak involved Bundibugyo virus, a less commonly detected Ebola species, unlike the Zaire strain previously associated with most Ebola outbreaks in the DRC.

He said existing diagnostic test kits in eastern DRC could not initially detect Bundibugyo virus, allowing the disease to spread undetected before laboratory confirmation and response measures.

According to him, the outbreak was detected and officially declared on 15 May, almost five months after the disease had begun spreading in the region.

Mr Boum said delayed detection contributed to the rapid escalation from eight cases in three health zones to more than 2,000 cases across 46 health zones.

He said the outbreak had subsequently expanded to 63 health zones across seven provinces, making it the largest Ebola outbreak recorded in the DRC.

The official identified insecurity and limited accessibility in eastern DRC as major operational challenges affecting active case searches, contact tracing and access for response teams.

He said community mistrust had further complicated efforts to control transmission, requiring stronger engagement with affected communities and increased community-based response activities.

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Mr Boum said the current outbreak differed from previous Ebola outbreaks in the DRC because of the virus type, insecurity, accessibility challenges and community concerns.

He said the situation demonstrated the need for stronger diagnostic preparedness for less common pathogens, particularly in regions where outbreaks could spread before laboratory confirmation.

The Africa CDC official called for increased resources and political support to enable responders to access affected communities and strengthen disease-control operations safely.

He said the response required not only financial resources but also political support to improve security, community cooperation and access to affected areas.