Congo’s health ministry announced late Sunday that confirmed Ebola cases have climbed to at least 282 during the central African country’s current outbreak, while healthcare workers who beat the disease shared their experiences of survival with The Associated Press.
The eastern Ituri province remains the center of the outbreak, accounting for 264 of the documented cases, according to Congo’s Ministry of Health. Officials report more than 1,000 suspected cases involving the Bundibugyo virus strain of Ebola, for which no approved treatment or vaccine exists.
Health ministry officials identified several key obstacles in controlling the outbreak, including swift case detection and isolation, thorough contact tracing, proper burial procedures, and improving infection control measures at medical facilities.
Current contact tracing efforts have reached 45% coverage, with 220 suspected cases being investigated, ministry officials stated.
Five individuals who have successfully recovered from the illness shared their experiences with The Associated Press, describing their tremendous relief.
Nurse Baraka Bulambulu expressed his overwhelming happiness after receiving two consecutive negative Ebola test results.
The World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus presented recovery certificates to Bulambulu and other survivors during Sunday’s opening of a new Ebola treatment facility in Bunia, Ituri province’s capital.
“The first one came back positive, but the second and third were negative for me,” Bulambulu said with a wide grin. “Coming out of this illness alive is an indescribable joy.”
Another recovering nurse, Ezo Étienne, described how his symptoms began while making hospital rounds to check on patients.
“That was how it started,” he recalled. “I called the team and told them, ‘Something’s wrong here.’ I checked my blood pressure and saw that I was immediately experiencing hypotension (low blood pressure). I decided to rest for a bit, and a few minutes later I started vomiting.”
The WHO confirmed all five survivors work in healthcare – four as nurses and one as a laboratory worker – representing the group most impacted by the outbreak.
Medical care has primarily focused on managing patients’ symptoms, the organization reported.
“Your courage gives hope and your living story, that this outbreak can be stopped,” Tedros told the health workers on Sunday.
Uganda has documented nine Ebola cases and shut down its border with Congo to prevent further transmission.
While Congo and Uganda have experienced more than 20 Ebola outbreaks, the Bundibugyo virus strain occurs infrequently. The absence of approved vaccines and treatments, combined with remote locations and armed conflict in affected areas, has complicated response efforts.
Dr. Dieudonne Mwamba Kazadi, director-general of Congo’s National Institute of Public Health, called the recoveries “a victory worth celebrating” despite ongoing challenges.
“It’s a strong message that it is possible to recover from Ebola when seeking care early in a dedicated health facility,” he added.
