Despite concerns from parents and teachers about the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the new academic year commenced on Tuesday. The outbreak, which has claimed 2,950 lives and infected 6,100 individuals since mid-May, is rapidly spreading. The teachers’ union in Ituri province, the outbreak’s epicenter, had suggested a delay in reopening schools, but the government proceeded with the resumption. UNICEF is collaborating with authorities to prevent the virus from spreading in educational institutions.
Some schools in Ituri, particularly government-owned ones, experienced low attendance rates. The local authorities did not provide details on measures taken to prevent transmission within classrooms. A parent in Bunia, the capital of Ituri, Aimerance Vahweka, expressed surprise at the sudden reopening and has chosen to keep her child at home, citing inadequate prevention measures.
In response to the situation, education officials are supplying schools with noncontact infrared thermometers, hand sanitizers, and hand-washing facilities. Teachers like Etienne Ndjabu in a private school in Bunia are educating students on adhering to hygiene protocols, emphasizing regular handwashing and sanitizer usage.
Despite these efforts, significant challenges persist, including limited access to clean water in many schools and insufficient funding. Greg Ramm, the director for Save the Children in Congo, highlighted logistical hurdles, especially in remote areas where delays in delivering equipment and learning materials are common.
The most vulnerable group to the outbreak are children aged four and below, with a case-fatality rate of 60%, as per health data. Dounia Dekhili, the UNICEF emergency coordinator in the country, emphasized the importance of safeguarding the health of students, teachers, and communities while ensuring children’s right to education.
The current outbreak, caused by the Bundibugyo virus, is the fastest in history and has spread to over 60 health zones. Authorities suspect the virus had been circulating undetected in communities since February. The World Health Organization (WHO) warned that the outbreak is set to surpass the West Africa regional outbreak between 2014 and 2016.
Health workers in affected regions have staged strikes over delayed payments, impacting the response to the outbreak. The lack of an approved vaccine or treatment has also hindered containment efforts. Although the Ervebo vaccine has been distributed, providing some level of protection, challenges such as conflict, attacks on health workers, and population displacement continue to exacerbate the crisis.