Two volunteers with the Red Cross have died from suspected Ebola virus disease in the Democratic Republic of Congo. British aid agencies, including the UK’s Department for International Development and medical charities with operations in the region, have been placed on alert. The deaths occurred in the eastern province of North Kivu, a region that has been grappling with sporadic outbreaks of the haemorrhagic fever since 2018.
The Red Cross confirmed that the volunteers were part of a community outreach team that had been involved in tracing contacts of confirmed Ebola cases. They developed symptoms earlier this week and died within 48 hours. Samples have been sent to a laboratory in Goma for testing.
If confirmed, these would be the first Ebola fatalities among humanitarian workers in the current outbreak. The World Health Organization has expressed concern about the potential for further spread, particularly given the high mobility of populations in the area and the presence of armed groups that have hindered access for health teams. British aid agencies have reviewed their risk assessments and are reinforcing infection prevention protocols.
The outbreak, which was first declared in August 2018, has so far infected over 3,300 people and killed more than 2,200. Efforts to control it have been hampered by community mistrust and periodic surges in violence. The deaths of the two volunteers underscore the risks faced by local responders who are often the first line of defence against the disease.
The Red Cross has called for increased support for community-based surveillance and safe burial practices.
