WASHINGTON/KINSHASA: The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has warned that the ongoing Ebola outbreak in Central Africa could grow into one of the largest outbreaks ever recorded if urgent public health measures are not significantly strengthened.
The warning comes as health authorities race to contain the spread of the deadly virus in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and neighboring countries.
CDC Raises Alarm
Speaking during a media briefing on Friday, CDC officials said current modelling suggests the outbreak could potentially reach a scale comparable to the devastating 2014-2016 West Africa Ebola epidemic.
That outbreak infected more than 28,000 people and claimed over 11,000 lives, making it the deadliest Ebola epidemic in history.
Jason Asher, Director of the CDC’s Center for Forecasting and Outbreak Analytics, said the possibility of a similar-scale crisis cannot be ruled out.
“That scale is possible,” Asher warned.
However, he stressed that the agency’s projections should be viewed as planning tools rather than predictions.
Urgent Intervention Needed
According to the CDC, the most effective way to prevent a major escalation is through rapid identification, isolation, and treatment of infected individuals.
Health officials warned that without strong intervention, transmission rates could increase dramatically.
CDC modelling examined several scenarios based on different levels of public health response. Under the poorest intervention scenario, where only around 20 percent of infected individuals are isolated and treated, there is a 65 percent chance that confirmed cases could exceed 20,000 within three months.
Officials emphasized that improving surveillance, contact tracing, treatment capacity, and community engagement remains critical to containing the outbreak.
WHO Calls for Global Support
The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) have jointly appealed for $518 million in emergency funding over the next six months to combat the outbreak.
The funds would support disease surveillance, laboratory testing, treatment centers, vaccination efforts, and community awareness campaigns across affected regions.
Health agencies warned that delays in funding could hamper efforts to control the spread of the virus.
Outbreak Spreads Across Borders
The outbreak was officially declared on May 15 in northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo, although experts believe the virus had been circulating undetected for some time before its discovery.
According to the latest WHO figures:
- 381 confirmed cases have been reported in the DRC
- 64 deaths have been recorded
- The outbreak has affected three provinces
- Ituri Province accounts for approximately 90% of confirmed cases
Across the border in Uganda, authorities have confirmed 16 cases, including one death.
Encouragingly, several patients have recovered, including seven in the DRC and two in Uganda.
Rare Ebola Strain Complicates Response
Health officials say the outbreak involves the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus, a less common variant than the Zaire strain responsible for previous major epidemics.
While less widespread historically, Bundibugyo Ebola remains highly dangerous and can cause severe illness, internal bleeding, organ failure, and death.
The mortality rate varies depending on the quality and speed of medical treatment.
International Health Agencies Mobilizing
The CDC, WHO, Africa CDC, and local health authorities are working together to strengthen containment measures and prevent wider international spread.
Experts stress that the outbreak can still be controlled if sufficient resources, funding, and public health interventions are rapidly deployed.
Health authorities continue to urge governments, humanitarian organizations, and international donors to support emergency response efforts before the situation worsens further.
While officials emphasize that the outbreak is not yet at the scale of the 2014 West Africa epidemic, they warn that swift action is essential to prevent a similar humanitarian crisis.
