In an interview today on Qatar Business Channel, RHU Provost and Professor of Microbiology, Dr. Mahmoud Halablab, addressed the latest developments regarding the Ebola virus outbreak.
Dr. Halablab noted that the number of cases continues to rise, while containment efforts are facing significant challenges. A key factor contributing to the spread was the delay in officially identifying the virus strain, as diagnostic samples had to be sent to Kinshasa, approximately 1,600 kilometers away, resulting in a 15-day delay before confirmation.
He emphasized that the current rate of transmission appears to be outpacing containment measures. With the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s population exceeding 116 million, the potential for widespread transmission presents a serious global health concern.
According to Dr. Halablab, effective control requires strict case isolation and decisive border measures, similar to those implemented by Uganda. However, a major obstacle remains the difficulty in tracing individuals who have been exposed to the virus and identifying chains of transmission.
He added that controlling the outbreak will take time, particularly given the country’s fragile healthcare system and ongoing conflict, which complicate response efforts. In response, several countries have imposed travel restrictions, while international support is being directed toward the Congo government to strengthen containment measures.
Watch the video of the interview here.