Schools reopen despite concerns amid Congo’s Ebola outbreak

A new academic year began across the Democratic Republic of Congo on Tuesday despite concerns by parents and teachers that the country’s Ebola outbreak still poses risks to children in the epicentre.

The resumption of classes comes in the middle of an outbreak that is spreading rapidly. According to the latest government data, 2,950 people have been killed by the virus since mid-May among 6,100 confirmed cases as of Tuesday.

The union representing teachers in Ituri province, the epicentre of the outbreak, had called for a delay in restarting classes, but the government pressed ahead. UNICEF said it is supporting the authorities to prevent transmissions in schools.

Some schools in Ituri, especially those owned by the government, recorded low turnouts. Authorities in Ituri did not respond to a request for comment on measures to ensure a lack of transmission in classrooms.

Aimerance Vahweka, a parent in the Bunia, the capital of Ituri, said the school restart came as a surprise and she is keeping her child at home for now.

“I do not really see an increase in prevention measures,” she said.

Other education officials said they are equipping schools with noncontact infrared thermometers, hand sanitizers and hand-washing basins.

“We also raise student awareness about adhering to hygiene protocols, particularly regular handwashing and the use of hand sanitizer,” said Etienne Ndjabu, a teacher in a Bunia private school.

Experts say major challenges still remain, as many schools lack access to clean water and funding remains below target.

“There are also significant logistical challenges, particularly in remote areas, where the delivery of equipment and learning materials may be delayed,” said Greg Ramm, director for Save the Children in Congo.

Children aged four and below have the highest case-fatality rate of any age group in the outbreak, at 60 per cent, according to available health data.

WATCH | Outbreak could take months to control:

Ebola outbreak now deadliest in Congo’s history

The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo is officially the deadliest in the country’s history, and health officials worry the crisis will only get worse when children return to school.

“The priority is both to protect the health of students, teachers, and communities, and to preserve, as much as possible, children’s right to learn,” said Dounia Dekhili, the country’s UNICEF emergency co-ordinator.

The latest outbreak, which is caused by the rare Bundibugyo virus, is the fastest in the disease’s history and has spread to more than 60 health zones. Authorities believe it had been spreading undetected among communities since at least February. The World Health Organization (WHO) said the outbreak is on track to beat West Africa’s regional outbreak between 2014 and 2016.

Health workers in affected provinces have gone on several strikes to protest delays in payments, which has affected the response to the deadly outbreak.

Efforts to contain the disease have been hampered by a lack of an approved vaccine or treatment. Congolese authorities had started distributing thousands of doses of the Ervebo vaccine, which the WHO said might provide some protection.

Conflict between the government and rebel groups in the eastern region, attacks on health workers and an intense population movement also have worsened the outbreak.