Congo's Ebola cases rising at record pace

The Ebola epidemic in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo has expanded to a sixth province, sparking fears it may reach the capital, Kinshasa, home to 19 million residents. Dr. Jean-Jacques Muyembe, head of Congo's National Institute for Biomedical Research, stated that isolation facilities are ready should the virus hit the capital.

The Ministry of Health has established Cinquantenaire Hospital to admit and isolate patients if needed. However, the virus, a rare Bundibugyo strain with no vaccine or treatment, is spreading faster than health authorities can contain it. As of now, 2,000 lives have been lost, with over 4,300 cases recorded since May 15. The outbreak, driven by the Bundibugyo strain, is expected to peak within six months, according to the WHO.

The initial infections were traced back to February, with the epicenter in Ituri province, plagued by insecurity and a large internally displaced population. The virus has also been reported in North and South Kivu provinces, where security issues exacerbate the problem. The rapid spread is attributed to large-scale population movements and ongoing violence.

Kinshasa's capacity to handle a potential outbreak remains a concern, though 20 beds have been set up at Cinquantenaire Hospital. Despite the current insufficient capacity, the Center for Public Health Emergency Response plans to expand it to 200 or 250 beds. The WHO warns that an unexpected surge in infections could occur anywhere, as contact-tracing has been slow.

Most infected individuals have not been registered on official Ebola contact lists before burial, and many cases originate from funerals. Dr. Sylvie Briand, WHO's chief scientist, expressed hope that no mutations of the virus have been observed, as they could be highly dangerous and increase transmission rates.