Key facts
- Three laboratories in the Democratic Republic of Congo have run out of supplies to test for Ebola.
- The WHO reported that labs in Bukavu, Lwiro, and Goma are awaiting reagents to resume testing.
- The current Ebola outbreak has resulted in nearly 600 confirmed cases and over 115 deaths.
- Medics in eastern DRC are facing critical shortages of basic safety equipment.
- The Bundibugyo species of Ebola has spread across three provinces, complicating containment efforts.
Three laboratories in the Democratic Republic of Congo have run out of essential supplies to test for Ebola, the World Health Organization announced. The affected labs, located in Bukavu, Lwiro, and Goma, are awaiting the arrival of reagents to process backlogged samples. This shortage exacerbates the ongoing outbreak of the Bundibugyo species of the virus, which has led to nearly 600 confirmed cases and over 115 deaths in the DRC, with additional cases and deaths reported in neighboring Uganda.
Medics in the eastern DRC are also grappling with critical shortages of basic safety equipment, such as masks and boots, attributed to rising costs and logistical challenges. The outbreak has spread across 25 health zones, and insecurity and armed conflict in the worst-hit provinces continue to hinder containment efforts. Despite improved testing capacity reported by the INRB, the director expressed concern over the lack of community engagement in the response, a crucial lesson learned from previous Ebola outbreaks.