Ituri remains the epicenter of the Ebola outbreak, accounting for 93.8% of confirmed cases (646 out of 689). The worst-affected areas are Bunia, Rwampara and Mongbwalu.

17 new cases have been recorded in the past 24 hours in this province. Several areas are difficult to access, and treatment centers are not available everywhere. The borders with Uganda remain closed, as does Bunia airport, which is closed except to flights carrying medical staff and supplies.

Between displacement caused by insecurity and the constant flow of trade between Mongbwalu, Nizi, Bunia, Komanda, Mahagi and other economic hubs, epidemiological surveillance is becoming particularly complex.

Faced with the rapid spread of the Ebola epidemic in Ituri, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is sounding the alarm over the saturation of treatment centers and is calling for an accelerated decentralization of the response to rural areas where new outbreaks continue to emerge.

“We need to decentralize. Outbreaks must be contained where they occur. We must not wait for patients to arrive in Bunia. Today, there are cases in Nizi, Aru, the Mahagi health zone and elsewhere. All these areas must be rapidly reinforced,” insisted Frédéric Manatou, the MSF representative.

“The good news is that many community members are much more aware of the situation and no longer deny the existence of the disease,” said a doctor at Salama Hospital in the town of Bunia.

Faced with the rise in new cases, several organizations are speeding up the construction of new Ebola treatment centers, whilst others are expanding their facilities to accommodate more patients. This is the case at the Rwampara Ebola center, which is expanding its capacity, and at the ISTM Nyakunde site, which has a new treatment center with a capacity of 40 beds.

Written by Akilimali Chomachoma in Bunia

Caption: A member of staff at the ISTM Nyakunde Ebola treatment center. Photo: Akilimali Chomachoma