The true scale of the Ebola epidemic in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is far larger than official reports suggest. According to Sky News, Oxfam representatives emphasized that actual infection cases are significantly higher due to poor sanitary infrastructure, lack of clean water, and difficulties in tracing contacts.
Since the rare Bundibugyo virus strain emerged, sanitation and hygiene systems have been nearly destroyed, and the effectiveness of tracking the transmission chain has sharply declined.
In Ituri province, one of the hardest-hit areas, only one-fifth of health facilities have adequate clean water. In Mongwalo city, home to about 140,000 people, only 20% have access to drinking water, and access to functioning sanitary facilities is just 25%.
Official data reports 192 deaths and 808 confirmed cases, with a fatality rate of 23.8%. 48 people have recovered. Ituri province remains the epicenter with 738 cases. The virus continues to spread in North and South Kivu provinces.
