A new academic term has kicked off in the Democratic Republic of Congo despite concerns from parents and educators about the ongoing Ebola outbreak’s threat to children in the epicenter. The return to classes coincides with a rapidly spreading outbreak, with government figures indicating 2,950 fatalities out of 6,100 confirmed cases as of Tuesday.
While the teachers’ union in Ituri province, the outbreak’s focal point, had advocated for a delay in school resumption, the government decided to proceed as planned. UNICEF is actively assisting authorities in implementing measures to prevent transmission within school settings.
Certain schools in Ituri, particularly those under government ownership, reported low attendance rates. However, local authorities in Ituri did not provide comments on steps taken to prevent transmission within classrooms. A parent in Bunia, Ituri’s capital, Aimerance Vahweka, expressed surprise at the sudden restart of schools and has chosen to keep her child at home for the time being due to perceived inadequate prevention measures.
Education officials mentioned outfitting schools with non-contact infrared thermometers, hand sanitizers, and hand-washing stations. Etienne Ndjabu, a teacher at a private school in Bunia, emphasized the importance of educating students on adhering to hygiene protocols, such as regular handwashing and the use of hand sanitizer.
Despite these efforts, significant challenges persist, including a lack of 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 educational materials are common.
Children under the age of four have the highest fatality rate in the outbreak at 60%, based on available health data. Dounia Dekhili, UNICEF’s emergency coordinator in the country, emphasized the need to protect the health of students, teachers, and communities while ensuring children’s right to education.
The current outbreak, caused by the rare Bundibugyo virus, is unprecedented in its rapid spread, affecting over 60 health zones. Authorities suspect it had been circulating undetected in communities since at least February. The World Health Organization (WHO) warned that this outbreak is on track to surpass the regional Ebola outbreak in West Africa between 2014 and 2016.
Healthcare workers in affected regions have staged multiple strikes to protest delayed payments, impacting the response to the crisis. The absence of an approved vaccine or treatment has hindered containment efforts, although the distribution of the Ervebo vaccine by Congolese authorities, endorsed by the WHO, is seen as a potential protective measure.
The conflict between the government and rebel factions in the eastern region, attacks on healthcare workers, and significant population displacement have exacerbated the outbreak’s severity.