Kinshasa, Aug 22: The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has crossed a critical threshold, with more than 2,500 deaths reported as the virus continues to spread rapidly across a widening area, according to United Nations officials.
Julien Harneis, the UN’s Ebola coordinator, said on Friday that the outbreak was growing at an exponential rate and had expanded across an area larger than France. The warning comes as health authorities and humanitarian organisations step up efforts to contain transmission and provide medical assistance.
The scale of the outbreak has placed considerable pressure on Congo’s already strained healthcare infrastructure. Health workers and aid personnel are facing significant challenges while attempting to trace infections, treat patients and prevent further spread.
Vaccination campaign expands
The World Health Organization and partner agencies have been working to increase access to vaccines as part of the emergency response.
Congo is set to receive around 70,000 doses of the Ervebo Ebola vaccine as authorities intensify efforts to contain the outbreak. The vaccine supply is expected to support immunisation campaigns among people considered at heightened risk of infection.
Health agencies are also focusing on surveillance, contact tracing and infection prevention measures in affected communities.
Health workers face growing risks
The response has been complicated by attacks on aid workers and cases of illness among personnel involved in the emergency operation.
UN officials have warned that the growing geographical reach of the outbreak could make containment increasingly difficult if resources and funding are not sustained.
Authorities are therefore seeking additional international support to maintain vaccination programmes, medical treatment, surveillance operations and community outreach.
The worsening situation has renewed concerns over the ability of local health systems to respond to a large-scale infectious disease emergency while protecting frontline workers.
International health agencies continue to monitor the outbreak closely and are urging stronger coordination to prevent further transmission.