Ebola Is Not Like Covid – But It May Prove Deadlier for Those Infected Rising Risks for Neighbouring States: Angola, Uganda and Rwanda on High Alert On September 4, 2025, the Democratic Republic of Congo declared a new outbreak of Ebola in Kasai Province, specifically in the districts of Bulape and Mweka. The announcement followed the detection of more than 32 suspected cases and 20 confirmed infections, including 16 deaths — a case fatality rate of roughly 50–55%. This underscores once again the lethal nature of Ebola, which remains one of the deadliest viral hemorrhagic fevers known to humanity. What unfolded in this latest outbreak alarmed both local communities and the international health community. Case numbers surged in the first week following the declaration, and a new infection was reported some 70 kilometres away from the initial cluster — a sign of potential geographic spread. Genetic analysis confirmed that the virus belongs to the Zaire ebolavirus strain, the most virulent type, and that the current outbreak does not stem from a lingering chain of transmission but rather from a new spillover event from animals to humans. In response, Congolese authorities, working alongside the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), moved swiftly to implement emergency measures. A ring vaccination strategy was rolled out, prioritising frontline health workers and direct contacts of confirmed cases. An initial shipment of 400 doses of the Ervebo vaccine arrived, with an additional 45,000 doses pledged to support the campaign. Authorities restricted movement, set up checkpoints in affected areas and quarantined zones to curb the spread. Mobile medical teams and field laboratories were dispatched to improve diagnostic capacity and accelerate contact tracing. Yet despite these efforts, major challenges persist: fragile health infrastructure in remote areas, limited access to rural communities, and chronic funding shortfalls that hinder a sustained response. At the regional level, the countries most exposed to risk are Congo's neighbours — Angola, Republic of Congo (Brazzaville), Uganda, Rwanda, and South Sudan. These nations share long, porous borders, active markets, and dense cross-border movement, all of which heighten the risk of transmission. Angola has already been flagged for concern, particularly after a case emerged close to its frontier. Further afield, East and Central African states such as Kenya and Tanzania face lower but real risks via air travel and regional mobility, while North and West Africa remain at relatively low risk — though not entirely shielded. Globally, the risks remain limited but real. Ebola is not airborne like influenza or Covid-19; transmission requires direct contact with the bodily fluids of an infected person. Moreover, patients are not contagious before showing symptoms, which allows for early isolation. These characteristics reduce the likelihood of a global pandemic. However, factors such as an undetected infected traveller boarding an international flight, delays in reporting, or funding shortfalls that slow containment efforts could raise the possibility of cross-border spread. Comparisons with Covid-19 underscore the differences. Ebola demands direct physical contact with contaminated fluids, while Covid-19 spread efficiently through airborne droplets, even before symptoms appeared. Ebola's case fatality rate, however, is dramatically higher — 50-60% percent in the current Kasai outbreak — whereas Covid-19's global mortality rate was far lower. In contrast, Covid-19 spread at lightning speed across continents, transforming into a full-blown pandemic, while Ebola outbreaks have typically remained geographically concentrated, albeit devastating for those affected. Looking back, Ebola's first appearance was recorded in 1976 in the village of Yambuku in northern Congo (then Zaire), simultaneously with an outbreak in Sudan (now South Sudan). Since then, Africa has endured more than 30 outbreaks, most of them in Congo and Uganda. The largest catastrophe came during the West Africa epidemic of 2014–2016, which infected nearly 28,000 people and claimed more than 11,000 lives across Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone. The virus originates in wildlife, with fruit bats believed to be its natural reservoir. Initial human infections occur through contact with infected animals or the consumption of bushmeat, and transmission then spreads between people through exposure to bodily fluids, contaminated objects, or unsafe burial practices that involve touching the deceased. The incubation period ranges from two to twenty-one days, after which symptoms appear suddenly — high fever, headache, muscle pain, and sore throat — followed by vomiting, diarrhea, rash, internal and external bleeding, and ultimately multi-organ failure in severe cases. Travel Precautions for Visitors to Congo and Neighbouring States Against this backdrop, travel to Congo or its neighbouring countries requires heightened vigilance. Travellers are strongly advised to consult a travel medicine specialist before departure to ensure vaccinations such as yellow fever are up to date and to inquire about the availability of the Ebola vaccine if traveling to outbreak zones. Travellers should carry a personal protection kit containing sanitizers, gloves, masks, and other hygiene essentials for individual use. During their stay, they should avoid contact with individuals displaying symptoms of fever, vomiting, or bleeding; steer clear of hospitals unless absolutely necessary; abstain from consuming bushmeat; rely only on bottled or thoroughly boiled water and well-cooked food; and practice meticulous hand hygiene. Traditional funerals and large gatherings must be avoided, and only safe, regulated modes of transport should be used. For children, the risks are even greater due to weaker immune defences and difficulty in following strict hygiene rules. Ideally, children should not be taken to outbreak areas, but if unavoidable, parents must provide personal supplies, teach them basic handwashing, and strictly forbid interaction with wild animals or strangers. Upon returning home, if any symptoms appear within three weeks, immediate self-isolation and prompt reporting to health authorities are essential before visiting any medical facility, as this protects both families and communities. What is happening in Congo today is not unprecedented for a nation that has repeatedly faced this virus since the mid-1970s, but it is a stark reminder that Ebola remains a present and potent global health threat. High fatality rates underline its severity, and its frequent re-emergence proves that containment requires more than emergency responses. Long-term investment in Africa's health systems — especially in Congo — combined with robust international cooperation, adequate funding, vaccine stockpiles, training, and community engagement, are urgently needed. Containing Ebola at its source is not only a regional necessity but also the world's first and most critical line of defence.
