Ebola outbreak in Congo worsens as nearly 300 patients disappear from medical monitoring

The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo continues to escalate, with health authorities reporting that 297 diagnosed patients have disappeared and are no longer under medical supervision. This development raises serious concerns about a large-scale outbreak, especially since over 200 people have already died from the virus in Congo. The main fear is that these missing patients are moving freely within communities, potentially infecting others without any oversight.

Dr. Jean Kaseya, head of the Africa CDC, described the disappearance of patients as the most alarming factor in managing the outbreak. He noted that about 30% of new cases are found in individuals not previously identified by authorities, indicating widespread virus transmission. One of the key challenges in controlling the outbreak is the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Congo, where over a million displaced people reside in camps that medical teams cannot access. This situation hampers efforts to detect new infections, trace transmission chains, and monitor contacts. "We cannot stop this outbreak without addressing the humanitarian issue," Kaseya emphasized.

So far, Congo has confirmed 1,118 Ebola cases, with 291 deaths. Neighboring Uganda has reported 20 new cases and two deaths. The outbreak involves the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus and is the largest recorded within just five weeks since its declaration. Treatment centers are nearly full, with 95% bed occupancy, and authorities expect the peak of infections is yet to come. The World Health Organization projects that by mid-September, cases could reach approximately 8,210 with 1,420 deaths, and in a worst-case scenario, infections might surge to 66,000. Experts also warn of a 70% chance the virus will spread to South Sudan in the coming weeks. Meanwhile, Europe has recorded a case of a French doctor infected while working in Congo, diagnosed after returning to France.