Ebola outbreak not under control amid 'dysfunctions' in response, MSF warns

The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) remains uncontrolled six months after being declared a public health emergency, according to Doctors Without Borders (MSF). Anna Halford, an MSF emergency coordinator, stated that most new cases are "surprise cases," indicating ineffective contact tracing. The World Health Organisation (WHO) declared the outbreak a public health emergency in May, though the disease is believed to have been spreading since the beginning of the year.

MSF's international president, Javid Abdelmoneim, said staff were often left speechless by the dysfunction in the response, which has killed more than 5,400 people. Abdelmoneim emphasized the need for urgent improvements in oversight, staffing, and operational support. MSF highlighted unaccounted funds, lack of vital equipment, unpaid healthcare personnel, lack of fuel for vehicles, and community workers not being paid.

Halford noted that there are two key indicators the response is not working: most cases are "surprise cases," and most Ebola deaths occur in the community rather than in treatment centers. The current outbreak, caused by the Bundibugyo virus, is the second-largest in size only to the 2014-16 West African outbreak. Conflict in the DRC has complicated response efforts, but Halford emphasized that sustained and consistent resources directed as needed are necessary to improve the situation, rather than a lack of money.