A fresh academic year has commenced in the Democratic Republic of Congo, with concerns raised by parents and educators about the ongoing Ebola outbreak’s impact on children in the epicenter. Despite the outbreak’s rapid spread, the government proceeded with reopening schools, prompting mixed reactions.
As of Tuesday, government figures indicate that the virus has claimed 2,950 lives out of 6,100 confirmed cases since mid-May. The teachers’ union in Ituri province, the outbreak’s epicenter, had advocated for a delay in resuming classes, but the government decided otherwise. UNICEF is collaborating with authorities to implement preventive measures in schools to curb transmissions.
Some schools in Ituri, particularly those under government administration, reported low attendance rates. Authorities in Ituri have not responded to inquiries regarding measures taken to prevent transmission within classrooms. A parent in Bunia, the province’s capital, named Aimerance Vahweka, expressed surprise at the sudden school reopening and has opted to keep her child at home for the time being, citing insufficient prevention measures.
Education officials have begun equipping schools with noncontact infrared thermometers, hand sanitizers, and hand-washing stations. Teachers like Etienne Ndjabu in a private school in Bunia emphasize the importance of educating students on adhering to hygiene protocols, including regular handwashing and sanitizer usage.
Despite these efforts, challenges persist, with many schools lacking access to clean water and falling short of funding targets. Greg Ramm, the director for Save the Children in Congo, highlighted logistical hurdles, particularly in remote areas, where delays in the delivery of equipment and learning materials are common.
Children under the age of four have the highest case-fatality rate in the outbreak, standing at 60%, based on available health data. Dounia Dekhili, UNICEF’s emergency coordinator in the country, stressed the need to protect 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-spreading in Ebola’s history, encompassing over 60 health zones. Authorities suspect that the virus had been circulating undetected in communities since at least February. The World Health Organization (WHO) warns that the outbreak is on track to surpass the regional epidemic in West Africa between 2014 and 2016.
Healthcare workers in affected provinces have staged multiple strikes to protest delayed payments, impacting the outbreak response. The absence of an approved vaccine or treatment has hindered containment efforts, although the distribution of the Ervebo vaccine by Congolese authorities offers some hope, as per WHO assessments.
The situation is further complicated by ongoing conflicts between the government and rebel factions in the eastern region, attacks on healthcare workers, and significant population movements, exacerbating the outbreak’s severity.