Doctor Victor Kingombe Dies as Ebola Cases Surge in DR Congo

Dr. Victor Kingombe, an internal medicine doctor, died from Ebola at the Ebola treatment center in Kisangani, the capital of Tshopo province. His funeral was attended by colleagues and family, who watched as health workers in protective gear handled his body.

The Ebola outbreak in the region began in late June, and the treatment center where Kingombe died was inaugurated less than two weeks prior. While cases have decreased in Ituri province, North Kivu has experienced a 73% surge in cases over the past three weeks.

The World Health Organization has warned that the epidemic may surpass the 2014-2016 West Africa outbreak. Factors contributing to the spread include insecurity, displacement, a health workers’ strike, and community mistrust.

Tshopo vice-governor Didier Lomoyo Iteku attended Kingombe’s funeral and noted that Congo began vaccinating health workers in Kisangani in August with the Ervebo vaccine, which offers some protection against the Bundibugyo strain of the virus.