Malaria and other diseases may be as deadly as the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, health officials have warned, as the outbreak strains the healthcare system and spooks patients into staying away from clinics.

Malaria Risks

Malaria is a particular threat because it is widespread in Congo, including to varying degrees in the eastern provinces where the Ebola Bundibugyo outbreak is hitting hardest. There were around 35 million cases and 68,000 deaths in Congo in 2024, the second-highest in the world after Nigeria, according to the World Health Organization.

Half-a-dozen medics and local and international health officials told Reuters they are taking steps to limit deaths, but face longstanding healthcare gaps and delivery issues in a region plagued by conflict, as well as patient fear.

Concern Over Missing Cases

However, health officials said work was underway to prevent a worst-case scenario. Buffer stocks of antimalarial drugs were being transferred to the outbreak areas by the Congolese government, the Global Fund and the Gates Foundation.

Teams are also considering mass drug administration of antimalarials — going door-to-door in affected areas to hand out drugs to rapidly reduce the malaria burden.

Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.