Ebola in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo: One Health approach to infectious disease control

A One Health approach is critical for controlling Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), particularly in North-Kivu and Ituri provinces, where transmission has expanded despite extensive response efforts. The study highlights that the proximity to wildlife, such as Virunga National Park, and high population movement due to conflict exacerbate transmission dynamics. While current strategies—including screening, vaccination, therapeutics, and community mobilization—have been implemented by the DRC Ministry of Health (MoH) with WHO support, challenges persist in curbing the outbreak's spread. The research underscores the need for integrating human, animal, and environmental health measures to effectively manage infectious diseases like EVD in complex, conflict-affected regions.

Sikakulya, F. K., Mulisya, O., Munyambalu, D. K., & Bunduki, G. K. (2020). Ebola in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo: One Health approach to infectious disease control. One Health, 9, 100117. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.onehlt.2019.100117