USAID Cuts Could Hinder Management of Ebola Outbreak in Congo and Uganda

"The World Health Organization declared a global health emergency Saturday due to the rapid spread of Ebola virus in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda. Ebola causes severe hemorrhagic fever and is often fatal. There's no approved vaccine for the strain of Ebola responsible for the current outbreak, known as the Bundibugyo variant. The WHO said in a statement that the outbreak is potentially much larger "than what is currently being detected and reported.""

"Spencer says this Ebola outbreak could be the fourth largest in history. "This is going to be a really difficult outbreak to manage and respond to," says Spencer. The ability of healthcare workers to address the outbreak in eastern Congo, "given the violence and conflict, is anything but ideal.""

"Spencer adds that cuts to USAID and the U.S. withdrawal from the World Health Organization have increased the likelihood for viruses to spread nationally and internationally, citing outbreaks of measles in the U.S. and Ebola and hantavirus abroad. "This is not all just a coincidence," says Spencer. "This is a consequence of us cutting back our support.""

"The announcement came a day after the African Union's public health agency said it confirmed Ebola infections in the DRC's northeastern province of Ituri, where 87 deaths and hundreds of cases of illness have been reported. Cases have also been confirmed in Kampala, Uganda's capital. At least four healthcare workers are among the dead."

WHO declared a global health emergency due to rapid Ebola spread in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda. Ebola causes severe hemorrhagic fever and is often fatal. No approved vaccine exists for the Bundibugyo variant driving the current outbreak. WHO warned the outbreak may be much larger than detected and reported. A public health professor and emergency room physician, an Ebola survivor, said the outbreak could become the fourth largest in history. Managing and responding in eastern Congo is difficult because violence and conflict disrupt healthcare delivery. The physician linked increased spread risk to reduced support, including cuts to USAID and U.S. withdrawal from WHO, citing other outbreaks such as measles in the U.S. and Ebola and hantavirus abroad.

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