News Alert: New Ebola Outbreak in DR Congo

At least five people have died in a new Ebola outbreak in Mbandaka, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, complicating the response which now includes rapidly increasing COVID-19 caseloads across the country.

Whitney Elmer, Country Director for Mercy Corps, says:

“Swift action must be taken to stop the spread of this fresh outbreak. Unlike eastern Congo, Mbandaka doesn’t have the same levels of conflict that have impeded the humanitarian response there, but this is such a dangerous, pernicious disease that we cannot take anything for granted.

“This new surge comes as COVID-19 caseloads are rapidly increasing in DRC, further complicating the situation. We urge health authorities to consider what we learned from the Ebola epidemic in the east. Communities already have some mistrust of aid workers, and there’s confusion and misinformation spreading about both epidemics. When we engage local communities right away, putting them at the center of education about the risks, it makes a substantive difference, and can limit the spread of both diseases.

“The outbreak in eastern Congo is not over yet, and risks of resurgence are still high. Response capacities should be maintained in high-risk areas so they can react quickly to possible new cases.”

Mercy Corps is continuing our Ebola activities and integrating prevention information about COVID-19 into all programs. Last year, Mercy Corps reached 3.7 million people in the Democratic Republic of Congo.