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<\/p>\nRabia Mayet | rabiamayet@radioislam.co.za<\/p>\n
17 August 2026<\/p>\n
2-minute read<\/p>\n
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The Bundibugyo ebolavirus disease, the largest Ebola outbreak in the DRC is expanding faster than any previous outbreak and is in a phase of intense transmission.<\/p>\n
Alex Lock serves as the Communications Coordinator for the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) response to the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). In an interview with Ml Sulaimaan Ravat this morning, he mentioned that since the outbreak of the virus in 1976, there have been approximately 40 outbreaks across the world, with 17 currently in the DRC this year, some caused by the Bundibugyo variant. The World Health Organization is reporting about 155 confirmed infections and 45 deaths.<\/p>\n
The BVD Virus is very specific, and there is \u201cno licensed vaccine, no specific treatment available.\u201d Depending on how you act when presenting the symptoms of the virus and how quickly you seek treatment for it, you could possibly survive contracting it, said Alex. \u201cThe best weapon we have to combat the Bundibugyo variant is early detection,\u201d he pointed out. Once a patient is diagnosed, he will be isolated in hospital so that the virus does not spread to those he is in contact with and this will also increase his chances of survival.<\/p>\n
Breaking chain measures are being put in place to prevent further spread of the disease, with more than 1500 volunteers from the DRC Red Cross being mobilised on the field, despite persons in the frontlines of the response being the most at risk for contamination. Alex says that the volunteers are being given the appropriate training, equipment and materials to prevent them contracting the virus. Safe and dignified burials are carried out with high standards and strict protocol as the bodies of patients who succumb to death from Ebola remain extremely contagious.<\/p>\n
The DRC remains on maximum alert as there is a very high risk of the virus spreading to neighbouring countries and even other countries. The DRC Red Cross has deployed a number of volunteers to go door-to-door to speak to local communities to raise awareness about the virus. The international movement of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies are also working in the neighbouring countries to take the correct measures if an outbreak is declared. \u201cEarly detection is very critical,\u201d Alex concluded emphatically.<\/p>\n