Story by Abigirl Tembo, Health Editor
THE Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is facing a new Ebola outbreak in Bulape, a small town in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Kasaï province, where nearly 70 cases have been recorded.
According to Dr Hilde De Clerck, an infectious diseases specialist with Doctors Without Borders (MSF), the outbreak remains localised, with alerts of suspected cases in nearby zones testing negative so far.
Reaching Bulape is the biggest hurdle, with poor roads, no cargo airport, and limited electricity slowing the delivery of medical staff and supplies.
MSF, WHO, and the DRC’s Ministry of Health have set up a temporary Ebola Treatment Centre, with more personnel on the way.
“The biggest challenge for us and for all the other responders is reaching the affected area. Bulape is extremely remote, located hundreds of kilometres from the provincial capital, with very poor road infrastructure, no cargo airport, and limited electricity. These factors make it extremely difficult to move people and essential medical supplies into the area, and they significantly complicate the overall response. Transporting medical teams, equipment, and treatments is a major hurdle,” the health partners noted.
All partners, including MSF, are working intensively to overcome these constraints, relying on helicopters and any other available means to get critical supplies and personnel to the front line.
Treatment supplies are running low, and MSF has called for urgent international support to avoid care disruptions.
“One of the problems we risk facing in Bulape is the lack of available treatment. Congolese authorities currently have a small supply of treatment and have managed, despite all constraints, to provide specific treatment to some patients. But these treatments will run out without additional shipments,” Dr De Clerck said
