Divya Delhi : Health authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have expressed serious concern after nearly 300 people infected with Ebola could not be traced, raising fears of further community transmission amid the country’s worsening humanitarian crisis. According to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), ongoing conflict, mass displacement, and limited access to affected areas have made it extremely difficult for health workers to track infected patients and their contacts. More than one million displaced people are currently living in camps where healthcare access remains severely restricted. The outbreak, caused by the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus, has already recorded over 1,100 confirmed cases and nearly 300 deaths in the DRC, with additional cases reported in neighbouring Uganda. Health experts warn that treatment centres are operating near capacity, while community transmission continues to rise. The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that the outbreak remains a very high risk within the DRC and could continue to spread if containment efforts are not strengthened. Authorities are expanding contact tracing, recruiting thousands of local health workers, and preparing new treatment trials to curb the epidemic.
