Kinshasa, DRC, A team of Chinese medical professionals arrived in the capital on Saturday, greeted by local health officials who welcomed them with open arms. This marks the third such mission from Beijing to assist in containing the deadliest Ebola outbreak in the history of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). With over 3,400 confirmed cases and more than 1,600 deaths since May 15, the situation continues to escalate, primarily in the remote Ituri province, which accounts for nearly 90% of infections. Cases have also been confirmed in five other provinces, including the large city of Kisangani. Ebola, though rare, is highly contagious and spreads through bodily fluids such as vomit, blood, or semen. The disease is severe and often fatal. At least 44 health workers have succumbed to the virus, and many others have abandoned their posts due to unpaid wages. Over 12 attacks have targeted health facilities and teams since the outbreak was officially declared in mid-May. For overwhelmed medical staff, the arrival of Chinese teams appears as a long-awaited relief. China's involvement in the crisis is part of a broader strategy to enhance its influence in Central Africa, especially amid reduced U.S. aid to the region under the Trump administration. On July 17, Beijing announced an additional $2.5 million in funding for the African Union’s Ebola response, coordinated by the Africa Centres for Disease Control. Nearly 1,000 Chinese medical personnel are currently assisting African nations in combating the outbreak. Their presence coincides with the U.S. withdrawal from certain aspects of regional support, creating a vacuum that China seeks to fill. The Trump administration has taken steps to address the crisis, including the establishment of a quarantine facility in central Kenya for seven American aid workers who returned from Congo. However, the facility sparked controversy, facing public protests and a court order halting its construction. Additionally, the administration formed an Ebola task force involving the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the State Department, and the Department of Defense. Travel restrictions have been imposed on individuals who have recently visited affected regions. President Trump emphasized that his administration would not allow any cases of Ebola into the United States. The outbreak has also complicated U.S.-supported peace initiatives in eastern Congo. Meanwhile, Europe saw its first imported case of Ebola, though the affected individual, a humanitarian worker, has since recovered after being diagnosed upon return to France. In neighboring Uganda, authorities released the country’s final Ebola patient on July 16, initiating a 42-day period before declaring the outbreak over. The impact of the epidemic extends beyond health, affecting vulnerable populations disproportionately. According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, children and women are bearing the brunt of the outbreak in Ituri, a province where nearly one million people have been displaced by ongoing conflict. Around 80% of these displaced individuals are women and children. Since the outbreak began in mid-May, over 300 children have died, with children making up nearly a quarter of confirmed cases but almost a third of all deaths. Fear of infection has significantly reduced the use of health services in the hardest-hit areas, with utilization dropping by more than 40%. Pregnant women face heightened risks, as delayed care leads to increased maternal mortality. Maternal deaths in Ituri have nearly doubled since the outbreak started, with approximately six women dying weekly from childbirth-related complications. Ebola infection during pregnancy is linked to near-universal fetal loss. To restore trust within communities, the Congolese health ministry, alongside partners such as the Africa Centres for Disease Control, UNICEF, and the World Health Organization, has deployed 13,000 community workers. These workers have engaged over 2.4 million people with information on prevention and early detection, conducted more than 500,000 home visits to combat misinformation, and encouraged prompt medical attention. Simultaneously, the World Health Organization is evaluating a potential new approach to treating the Bundibugyo variant of the Ebola virus. An expert panel recommended a randomized clinical trial using the licensed vaccine Ervebo, based on preliminary animal study data indicating possible cross-protection against the virus. While the vaccine is effective against the main strain, further evidence is required to confirm its efficacy against the Bundibugyo variant. The advisory group concluded that no safety concerns exist regarding its use among contacts of confirmed cases.
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