A recent warning from Oxfam suggests that the current Ebola outbreak may be more severe than official reports indicate. The humanitarian organization is concerned about supply shortages in central Africa’s outbreak epicenter, hindering efforts to contain the potentially fatal virus.

Complicating matters is the use of the rare and dangerous Bundibugyo strain of Ebola in this outbreak, for which there are no approved vaccines or treatments, leading to a high fatality rate of up to 40%.

Early detection and supportive care, including hydration, are crucial for survival and reducing transmission. However, limited access to clean water in the outbreak’s epicenter poses a significant challenge, as sanitation and water systems are deteriorating, according to Oxfam field data.

In the affected region, such as Mongbwalu with a population of almost 140,000, only a small percentage have access to clean water and functional sanitation facilities, exacerbating the outbreak’s potential scale.

Oxfam’s concerns are heightened by a decrease in humanitarian funding for the Democratic Republic of Congo, leading to a reduction in response efforts and essential supplies. The organization has launched a crisis appeal to bolster its response to the outbreak.

Global health entities are exploring existing Ebola treatments’ effectiveness against the Bundibugyo strain, with the WHO recommending priority use of experimental drugs for treating and preventing this specific virus variant.