WHO: Ebola in DRC May Have Spread Silently for Months Before Detection

The World Health Organization has revealed that the

The World Health Organization has revealed that the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo likely started much earlier than the official declaration, with initial infections being misdiagnosed as malaria or typhoid. This delay in identification allowed the virus to circulate undetected, complicating containment efforts.

According to a WHO report released on Thursday, a review of patient records and epidemiological data suggests that the first cases of Ebola in the affected region occurred in April, nearly three months before the outbreak was formally declared on June 1. The early symptoms of Ebola—fever, headache, and fatigue—are similar to those of more common local diseases, leading health workers to attribute the initial cases to malaria and typhoid fever.

The WHO's findings point to a critical gap in disease surveillance and diagnostic capacity in the region. In many rural health facilities, laboratory testing for Ebola is not routinely available, and clinicians often rely on clinical judgment alone. This has raised concerns about the effectiveness of early warning systems in preventing large-scale outbreaks.

Health officials are now tracing contacts of the

Health officials are now tracing contacts of the early patients, who may have been infectious for weeks before being isolated. The WHO has also called for enhanced community engagement and improved diagnostic protocols to avoid future misdiagnoses. Local authorities and international partners are scaling up vaccination campaigns and strengthening disease monitoring in the affected provinces.

The delayed detection has already had significant consequences: the outbreak has spread to several health zones, with more than 100 confirmed cases and dozens of deaths. The WHO emphasizes that while the current response is robust, the initial oversight serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced in resource-limited settings, where rapid and accurate identification of emerging health threats is paramount.