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Ebola en RDC : « Le pays a la capacité de contenir cette épidémie », affirme Tedros Adhanom
The Democratic Republic of Congo has the experience and capabilities to overcome the new Ebola epidemic raging in the east of the country. This was the reassuring message delivered Friday evening, May 29, in Kinshasa, by the Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, following a meeting with Prime Minister Judith Suminwa Tuluka.
On an official visit to the DRC, the WHO chief came to reaffirm his organization’s support for the Congolese authorities engaged in the response to this new outbreak of the Ebola virus disease, according to the Prime Minister’s office. This confidence is based on the DRC’s experience.
Despite the security challenges and population movements observed in the affected areas, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus believes that the DRC now possesses recognized expertise in managing Ebola epidemics. « We know that this is a rather complex crisis, but the DRC already has extensive experience in fighting the virus. » “We are confident that we will be able to contain this outbreak once again,” he said. The WHO Director-General also commended the Congolese authorities for their leadership in managing the response.
He believes this new health crisis can also be an opportunity to sustainably strengthen the country’s health system. “From the WHO’s perspective, we will provide all possible support to the Congolese government,” he assured. The lack of a specific vaccine remains a challenge. One of the main concerns remains the absence of an approved vaccine and treatment for the Bundibugyo strain currently circulating.
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus recalled that this strain of the Ebola virus was first identified in 2007 in Uganda. The relatively limited number of cases recorded during previous outbreaks did not allow for a sufficient acceleration of scientific research. However, several vaccine and treatment candidates are currently in development and could be evaluated as part of the ongoing response. In the meantime, the WHO continues to support Congolese health authorities through epidemiological surveillance, contact tracing, testing, case isolation, and coordination of partners mobilized on the ground. The WHO advises against closing borders.
The WHO’s head also commented on the restrictive measures adopted by some countries regarding travelers from the DRC. For him, closing borders is not an effective solution to stop the spread of the virus. « Many studies have shown that closing borders can slow the spread for a few days or weeks, but it does not contain the epidemic.
The best strategy is to support the fight at the epicenter, » he explained. According to Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, these restrictions even risk compromising international cooperation by discouraging affected countries from quickly reporting the emergence of new epidemics.
Strengthening communities to prevent future epidemics: Returning to the recurring nature of Ebola outbreaks in the DRC, the 17th such outbreak, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stressed that the response could not be solely medical. According to him, certain community practices, particularly during funerals and burials, continue to facilitate the transmission of the virus when health measures are not respected.
The WHO official advocated for in-depth community awareness campaigns to sustainably reduce the risk of spread. For Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the fight against Ebola rests on several pillars: strengthening the health system, community engagement, adapting risky behaviors, and continued close cooperation between the Congolese government and its international partners.
He believes the DRC, drawing on its experience, is capable of meeting this challenge once again. Ebola: The United Kingdom says it is mobilizing $29 million for the response in the DRC; Ebola: The United States is strengthening its support for the DRC and Uganda
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