Ebola outbreak: five big questions
On 23 August, it will be 100 days since the Bundibugyo strain was first reported. How did it became the DRC’s most deadly outbreak and what must be done to stop it becoming the world’s largest?
TL;DR
- The Ebola outbreak in the DRC, caused by the Bundibugyo virus, has become the largest and deadliest in the nation's history.
- Factors contributing to the escalating crisis include an unreported head start, the absence of licensed vaccines or medicines, and widespread mistrust between communities and authorities.
- Significant funding gaps persist, with only a portion of pledged funds being disbursed, hindering frontline response efforts and leading to staff strikes.
- New strategies include door-to-door case seeking and the development and trial of specific vaccines and treatments for the Bundibugyo strain.
- The success of the response and the prevention of a larger global outbreak depend on increased funding, improved tracing efforts, and community trust.