Congo's Ebola epidemic may have gone unnoticed for months

The Democratic Republic of Congo is experiencing its worst-ever outbreak of Ebola, with over 7,000 recorded cases and nearly 3,400 deaths, according to official figures. The outbreak began in mid-May in Ituri province, in the northeastern part of the country, and has since spread to other conflict-ridden regions, including the eastern and northern parts where armed groups are prevalent.

The state's presence is weak, and health infrastructure is largely lacking in these areas. Recently, the disease was confirmed in South-Ubangi province, which borders the Central African Republic and Congo-Brazzaville. As of the latest data, 7,022 cases have been recorded, with 3,398 fatalities and 1,671 recoveries. The majority of cases are concentrated in Ituri province, where the virus has been detected in schools following the return of students to classes after the summer break, causing significant concern among parents and health workers.

Angele Magani, a mother of a schoolboy in Bunia, the provincial capital of Ituri, expressed her worry, stating that they are unsure about the health status of the children, as they are unaware of which child belongs to which family. She highlighted the school authorities' reassurances regarding the implementation of health measures, including mandatory hand-washing with soap and maintaining a maximum of 30 pupils per classroom.

School officials, such as Roger Mungimbo, have taken various precautions, such as enforcing a hand-washing system and regularly educating children on the importance of personal hygiene, avoiding physical contact, and proper handwashing. The Ebola virus, which has claimed over 15,000 lives in Africa over the past 50 years, is transmitted through contact with bodily fluids and can cause severe internal and external bleeding, as well as organ failure.