A recent report reveals that more than 15 000 people have contracted the disease, with over 5000 fatalities so far.

Dr Samuel-Roger Kamba, the country’s Health Minister, warned that the epidemic continues to spread rapidly, noting that many people still do not fully understand how the disease spreads. This lack of awareness, he said, leaves the population at high risk of further outbreaks.

In the eastern part of the country, Doctors Without Borders (MSF) has been closely monitoring the situation. The organisation has confirmed that infections are increasing, especially in North Kivu. MSF is working alongside the Congolese government to manage the situation, focusing on treating those affected in the community rather than in refugee camps.

MSF's North Kivu co-ordinator, Natalia Torrent, expressed particular concern about the situation in displaced persons' camps. She pointed out that overcrowded living conditions in these camps could allow the disease to spread quickly, endangering many vulnerable people.

In response to the outbreak, MSF has opened several clinics in Goma, South Kivu, and Equator provinces. They have treated over 1150 patients so far, most of whom are experiencing moderate symptoms. However, MSF is worried that addressing the epidemic in the refugee camps is especially challenging. Proper isolation of patients and providing adequate care is difficult, and the situation is further complicated by a lack of awareness and health infrastructure.

Experts have also raised concerns that the outbreak in North Kivu, where there are large displaced populations, could worsen due to the lack of preventive measures in the camps. This could lead to a much larger number of cases in the coming months if the response remains insufficient.

--ChannelAfrica--