Why Ebola keeps returning to DRC: A heartbreaking human toll | News
Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo — Sadiki Patrick, 40, is mourning the loss of his 15-year-old daughter, Judith, who recently succumbed to Ebola in Mongbwalu, a mining town in eastern Congo. Judith’s death marks another tragedy as the country confronts its seventeenth outbreak of the virus in 50 years.
“It is heartbreaking to lose my third child in her youth,” said Patrick, whose name has been changed for anonymity. “I sent her to school so she could contribute to society, but now she is just a memory.”
Patrick criticized local authorities for their delayed response to the outbreak. According to Congolese officials, the new Ebola cases emerged in Mongbwalu, where residents report daily fatalities while health services struggle to manage the crisis.
The recurring epidemics in the DRC underscore the vulnerabilities stemming from fragile healthcare systems, poverty, and ongoing conflict.
Factors Contributing to Resurgence
Francine Mbona Pendeza, a Congolese physician who worked against Ebola in North Kivu from 2018 to 2020, attributed the ongoing outbreaks to unsafe food practices, lack of clean water, and systemic healthcare weaknesses.
“Our community often consumes raw or undercooked food, which can lead to outbreaks. Access to clean water is critically limited,” she said. Mbona emphasized the difficulty of reaching hospitals in remote areas, where resources and qualified personnel are scarce.
Congolese authorities maintain that containment measures are underway. On Tuesday, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) reported that a team of experts had arrived in Bunia, Ituri Province’s capital, to reinforce the response to the Ebola epidemic. This team consists of epidemiologists and specialists in data management, risk communication, and community engagement.
The DRC averages one Ebola outbreak every three years, with the tenth outbreak of the Zaire strain from 2018 to 2020 claiming over 2,300 lives.
Healthcare Access Challenges
Dr. Mbona acknowledged that inadequate access to quality healthcare is a fundamental issue contributing to the resurgence of epidemics. “Patients who cannot find treatment can easily spread infections to others,” she noted.
Healthcare in many regions often comes at a cost, making access a significant barrier for those without financial means. Recent data from the Congolese Ministry of Health indicates more than 500 suspected cases of Ebola and over 130 related deaths.
Patrick recalled the tragic decline of his daughter, who initially showed symptoms of malaria in April. “We treated her at home because we couldn’t afford hospitalization, but by the time we took her to the hospital, it was too late,” he shared. Fortunately, Patrick and his family tested negative for Ebola.
Complex Vulnerabilities
Alphonsine Muhoza, another Congolese doctor, cited a range of environmental and socioeconomic factors that heighten the nation’s vulnerability to epidemics. The DRC, which hosts the world’s second-largest tropical forest, is often a “natural habitat” for pathogens due to human encroachment through deforestation and agricultural expansion.
Muhoza connected the frequency of disease outbreaks with underdeveloped healthcare infrastructure, including low vaccination rates, which leave the population susceptible to preventable diseases.
Geopolitical analyst Gloire Koko pointed out that ongoing armed conflicts also play a significant role. “Focus on war often overshadows healthcare needs, disrupting the implementation of health programs by organizations like WHO and various NGOs,” Koko said, noting that insecurity can deter people from seeking medical help.
Ongoing Crisis
The nonprofit organization Save the Children has raised concerns that the crisis could worsen. DRC country director Greg Ramm stated that this outbreak presents unique challenges due to the country’s complex humanitarian situation, including extensive displacement and a compromised healthcare system.
Local residents like Christophe Milenge express their belief that climate conditions contribute to public health challenges. “Our climate fosters diseases that have emerged in recent years, and that is beyond our control,” he said.
Despite concerns about the strength of the healthcare system, virologist and Ebola co-discoverer Jean Jacques Muyembe expressed confidence in the ability to manage the outbreak. “Our surveillance may have faltered this time, but we have the experience needed to regain control,” he stated.
As families mourn their losses, Patrick reflects on the emptiness left by Judith’s passing. “There will always be an empty seat at our dining table. We miss her dearly and wish for her return,” he lamented.
