The last major outbreak of the Ebola Virus which hit the relatively isolated West African coast in 2013-16 killed 11,310 people and destroyed countless families and now there are fears that another outbreak is set to spread. Currently, it is confined to the Democratic Republic of Congo but it is the second-largest infection on record with over 1500 people dying. It has spread to neighbouring Uganda but seems to be contained there, however, the main threat is it reaching Rwanda, a country which sees tens of thousands of people cross the borders on a near-daily basis.
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Should the virus reach Goma (on the Rwanda border) the consequences could be disastrous and a Global health emergency could ensue. Goma itself is densely packed with around a million residents, and it also serves as a regional transportation hub which would exacerbate the problem.
There is a vaccine for the current strain, however, it is far from 100% efficient and those who contract it after vaccination face a 35% fatality rate. Fortunately, the west is recognising the seriousness of this and the UK & US are spending substantial sums in the hope of controlling if not eradicating the disease.
