Thirty deaths have been recorded at the Kingoze camp for internally displaced persons in eastern Congo since the beginning of May, raising fears of a rapid spread of the Ebola virus. The patients’ symptoms, such as headaches, fever and vomiting, point to a serious risk of an epidemic.
- There have been 30 deaths recorded in Kingoza since the beginning of May.
- The patients’ symptoms suggest a possible case of Ebola.
- Refusing to be tested makes the situation more difficult.
- Limited funding for sanitation is exacerbating the epidemic.
Ebola in Kingoza: a sharp rise in the death toll
The situation at the Kingoze camp, which is home to over 15,000 people, is a cause for serious concern. According to a spokesperson for the camp Desiree Grodia Bapi, whereas previously there had been only 1–3 deaths a month. “People didn’t just die for no reason before,” he says.
«No one should have to put up with the conditions we’re living in. People are dying one after the other,» says Kato Lonu, a 47-year-old resident of the camp who lost two children.»
There has been a decline in the number of people being tested for Ebola, which makes it difficult to determine the cause of death. According to Désiré Grodia, medical staff have already taken samples from five victims, but the results are not yet available. At the same time, the symptoms observed may also point to cholera, which spreads rapidly in conditions of poverty.
Refusal to be tested and summonses
The situation is made more difficult by the residents“ refusal to accept medical assistance. ”Our team tried to persuade people to allow doctors access to the bodies, but they refused outright,” says Justin Zanamuzi, director of the Caritas charity.
There is a shortage of toilets in the camp, and they quickly become overfilled. The toilets fill up very quickly, and people are forced to empty them themselves, with their bare hands. This increases the risk of diseases spreading, particularly Ebola.
Funding and humanitarian aid
According to UN figures, funding for sanitation in Congo has more than halved, making it more difficult to tackle the epidemic. Until now, Washington has remained the main donor, but with funding on the decline, charities are being forced to scale back their programmes.
«We have built 82 water taps and over 400 public toilets, but funding has been cut this year, and the service now serves fewer than 19,000 people,» emphasises a representative of Mercy Corps.
There has been a rise in mortality rates among displaced persons, and the situation in Kingoza could serve as a warning sign for the entire region. Given the high risk of the virus spreading, urgent measures must be taken to improve living conditions and ensure access to medical care.
