Emergency Response to the Ebola Outbreak in DRC

Ebola continues to plague the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). In early February 2021, a new confirmed case of Ebola emerged in North Kivu, on the country’s conflict-ridden eastern edge, dashing hopes that the disease had been eradicated from the country after the last outbreak had officially been declared over in November 2020. As of March 5, the number of cases has grown to 11 with four deaths.

On February 7, a woman in her mid-forties tested positive for Ebola. She passed away 72 hours later.  The source of the infection is thought to be an Ebola survivor as the virus can remain in certain areas of the body even after a patient has recovered. Following the confirmation, International Medical Corps deployed a team. Within 24 hours, our team was on the ground and is currently building an Ebola Treatment Center and caring for confirmed and suspected cases at a health facility that had previously been used to manage COVID-19 cases.

International Medical Corps has extensive experience responding to Ebola and other disease outbreaks, including in the DRC. The 2018-2020 Ebola outbreak, the 10^th and last in this region of the DRC, grew to be the largest and most complex in the country’s history. Dr. Eta, International Medical Corps’ Deputy Programs Director in the DRC, explained that, “Past Ebola outbreaks in the DRC have been well-controlled within a few weeks. Little did we know that the 10^th outbreak in the country would spread so extensively – we have learned to never underestimate an outbreak.” Lessons like this, and others, inform our ongoing Ebola response in North Kivu where our team is working tirelessly to bring an end to the latest outbreak.

International Medical Corps is grateful for the GlobalGiving community of donors and your continued support of our Ebola response efforts in the DRC.