Ebola Grips Remote Bulape as DRC Battles to Break Isolation
A new Ebola outbreak has struck Bulape, a remote town in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Kasaï province, with nearly 70 confirmed cases.
Health officials say the outbreak remains contained within the area, but efforts to control it are being severely hampered by the town’s extreme isolation and lack of infrastructure.
Bulape is located hundreds of kilometres from the provincial capital and is surrounded by poor road networks, no cargo airport, and limited electricity.
These conditions have delayed the arrival of medical teams and the delivery of essential supplies.
In response, the DRC’s Ministry of Health, Doctors Without Borders (MSF), and the World Health Organization (WHO) have established a temporary Ebola Treatment Centre, with additional personnel expected to reinforce the response.
Health responders say reaching the outbreak zone has become the most critical challenge.
Dr Hilde De Clerck, an infectious diseases specialist with MSF, described the logistical nightmare facing teams on the ground.
“The biggest challenge for us and for all the other responders is reaching the affected area.
“Bulape is extremely remote… These factors make it extremely difficult to move people and essential medical supplies into the area, and they significantly complicate the overall response,”she said.
According to ZBC, helicopters and other available transport methods are being used to overcome the region’s inaccessibility.
Despite these efforts, treatment supplies are running dangerously low, and MSF has issued an urgent call for international support.
Dr De Clerck warned that the current stock of Ebola treatments is not enough to sustain operations.
“One of the problems we risk facing in Bulape is the lack of available treatment.
“Congolese authorities currently have a small supply of treatment and have managed, despite all constraints, to provide specific treatment to some patients. But these treatments will run out without additional shipments,” she said.
While suspected cases in nearby zones have tested negative, officials caution that the situation remains fragile.
Health workers are racing against time to contain the virus and prevent further spread.
The success of the response now depends on swift global assistance and the ability to navigate the region’s severe logistical constraints.
