A fresh academic year commenced in the Democratic Republic of Congo on Tuesday, despite concerns from parents and educators regarding the ongoing Ebola outbreak’s threat to children at the epicenter. The return to classes coincides with a rapidly spreading outbreak, with government statistics revealing 2,950 fatalities out of 6,100 confirmed cases as of Tuesday.
While the teachers’ union in Ituri province, the outbreak’s epicenter, had advocated for a delay in school reopening, the government proceeded as planned. UNICEF has stepped in to assist authorities in implementing preventive measures to curb transmissions within schools.
Some schools in Ituri, particularly government-owned ones, experienced low attendance rates. However, there was no response from Ituri authorities regarding measures to prevent transmission within classrooms. A parent in Bunia, the capital of Ituri, named Aimerance Vahweka, expressed surprise at the sudden school resumption and has chosen to keep her child at home for the time being, citing a perceived lack of enhanced prevention measures.
In response to the situation, education officials are equipping schools with non-contact infrared thermometers, hand sanitizers, and hand-washing facilities. They are also educating students on adhering to hygiene protocols, emphasizing regular handwashing and the use of hand sanitizer, as mentioned by Etienne Ndjabu, a teacher at a private school in Bunia.
Despite these efforts, challenges persist, with many schools lacking access to clean water, and funding falling short of the required levels. Greg Ramm, the director for Save the Children in Congo, highlighted significant logistical hurdles, especially in remote areas, where the delivery of essential equipment and learning materials may face delays.
Health data indicates that children aged four and below have the highest case-fatality rate of any age group in the outbreak, standing at 60%. Dounia Dekhili, the country’s UNICEF emergency coordinator, emphasized the dual importance of safeguarding the health of students, teachers, and communities while ensuring children’s right to education.
The current outbreak, caused by the rare Bundibugyo virus, is the fastest in the disease’s history, having spread to over 60 health zones. Authorities suspect that the virus had been circulating undetected among communities since at least February. The World Health Organization (WHO) warned that the outbreak is poised to surpass the regional outbreak in West Africa between 2014 and 2016.
Health workers in affected provinces have staged multiple strikes to protest delayed payments, impacting the response to the outbreak. Efforts to contain the disease have been hindered by the absence of an approved vaccine or treatment. Although the Ervebo vaccine is being distributed by Congolese authorities, the WHO noted that it may offer some level of protection.
The situation is further complicated by conflicts between the government and rebel groups in the eastern region, attacks on health workers, and significant population movements, exacerbating the outbreak’s severity.