The latest Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo began at least three months earlier than the reported date, according to a new statement from the World Health Organization.
At a news conference held at the epicenter of the virus in Bunia, WHO Africa director Dr. Mohamed Janabi said officials are still trying to catch up to the virus. Research shows that the virus was present in February. It was, however, misdiagnosed as typhoid or malaria.
Before the latest development, it was believed that the virus initially began spreading on May 15.
“We are chasing the virus,” said Dr. Jamabi at the conference when he announced his latest findings. “The virus is ahead of us.”
Dr. Jamabi also said that health workers are unable to treat all the people diagnosed with the disease, largely due to insecurity. As of now, they have only been able to treat approximately 30% of those with Ebola. The rest have passed away at their homes.
Months after the epidemic started, the virus is still continuing to spread at a frighteningly alarming rate.
Approximately 4,294 people have contracted Ebola, according to the DR Congo’s health ministry. Of these patients, approximately 1,960 people have already died. This outbreak is reportedly killing people at a faster rate than any other outbreak.
Authorities are struggling to control this particular strain of the Ebola virus. Known as the Bundibugyo species, this is a rare strain first discovered in 2007. The deadly virus is contracted through blood and other bodily fluids. It is also spread through contact with contaminated objects or affected animals.
Although there are two vaccines available against the Ebola virus, none can be used against the Bundibugyo virus. The vaccines are currently available only to prevent the spread of the most common form of Ebola disease, the Ebola virus.
Per Doctors Without Borders, discussions are ongoing about who is available to participate as a candidate in emergency clinical trials to find a vaccine for the Bundibugyo virus.
To help treat the virus, emergency workers and health officials have been focusing on addressing symptoms such as fevers, headaches, diarrhea and vomiting. These treatments include providing oxygen, monitoring patients’ cardiac levels and offering supportive therapy.
The outbreak is being worsened by a myriad of issues in Congo. Along with the threat of rebel groups, health workers are also striking. Hundreds of front-line health workers have been without pay for months since the outbreak began.
The workers were reportedly told that they would receive a monthly salary of $510, yet many have not received any payment. Officials allege that any outstanding payments will eventually be made.
Some workers have confirmed they received payment but have not been given the full amount.
“Sometimes patients are bleeding or vomiting blood. We clean and disinfect those places,” said a 29-year-old health worker, per AP News. “With risks like that, we deserve salaries.”
Along with the spread of misinformation and mistrust, citizens are struggling with the lack of access to family members’ bodies.
Back in May, a group of people descended upon a treatment center to get the bodies of two loved ones. They had previously passed away in the center. Police fired shots in the air to get them to leave the deceased at the center.
Other instances include a crowd setting fire to isolation tents after members were not allowed to properly bury the body of a family member.
Health officials are currently the only people who are allowed to handle the burying of the bodies.
After a person passes away, the body is placed in a leak-proof body bag for burial. Transparent panels were placed in coffins for family members to look inside.
Because of family members’ inability to properly prepare funerals, several traditions cannot be honored. Washing the bodies of dead family members is discouraged by WHO because bodily fluids must not be exposed. The tradition is considered to be a way to cleanse the person before passage into another world.
In the Ituri community, the deceased must also be made to look their best for their travel “to the world of the ancestors.”
Now, families are unable to honor the tradition due to the need to put the bodies into the body bag immediately.
Health care workers say that they are trying their best to support the families at this time.
“We need to be very close to the communities and engage with them very closely and make sure that they understand what’s going on, they’re informed and they consent,” said public health emergency coordinator Maria Munoz-Bertrand, per BBC.
“If the family asks for something special to be included in the procedure, as long as it respects the infection prevention and control measures, and it doesn’t put anyone at risk, we will try to accommodate the wishes of the family as much as possible, because we understand that it’s a very difficult time for families.”
