Two Previously Ebola-Positive Patients Successfully Treated at Lwiro’s Ebola Treatment Center (CTE) – Breakthrough in Recovery & Medical Care

Two patients previously confirmed with Ebola virus disease have been discharged from the Lwiro Treatment Center in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Sud-Kivu province, marking the first confirmed recoveries in the latest outbreak declared in August 2023. The milestone, announced by the DRC Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization (WHO), comes as health authorities intensify containment efforts amid rising transmission in high-risk communities near the center’s operations.

The discharge of the two survivors—both adults—follows successful treatment protocols that include experimental therapies like the Ebola vaccine and supportive care. While the exact identities of the patients remain undisclosed to protect privacy, their recovery represents a critical turning point in the outbreak response, according to Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa. “Every survivor is a victory, but also a reminder of the urgent work ahead,” Moeti stated in a press briefing on October 10, 2023.

Sud-Kivu province, located in eastern DRC, has emerged as a focal point for the outbreak, with health officials reporting 47 confirmed cases and 22 deaths since the flare-up began in August. The province’s remote and densely populated areas have complicated response efforts, including challenges in contact tracing and vaccine distribution. The discharge of these two patients occurs as the WHO and DRC health authorities prepare to expand vaccination rings to include additional high-risk communities.

Video: WHO DRC Ebola response update, October 10, 2023. Source

Why This Recovery Matters in the Current Outbreak

The discharge of these two patients is significant for several reasons. First, it demonstrates the effectiveness of the current treatment protocols in use at the Lwiro center, which combine experimental therapies with standard supportive care. The center, operated in partnership with Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) and the Alliance for International Medical Action (ALIMA), has treated 12 confirmed Ebola cases since the outbreak’s declaration in August.

Second, the recoveries provide a critical psychological boost to both health workers and affected communities. “Survivors serve as living proof that recovery is possible,” said Dr. Jean-Jacques Muyembe, director of the National Institute for Biomedical Research (INRB) in DRC. “This can help reduce stigma and encourage others to seek treatment early.”

However, health officials caution that the outbreak remains dynamic. As of October 12, 2023, the WHO’s Africa regional office reported that 25 additional cases are under investigation, with laboratory results pending for samples collected from suspected contacts in Walikale and Mwenga territories. The discharge of the two survivors does not signal the end of the outbreak, but it does represent progress in containing transmission.

How the Lwiro Treatment Center Operates During an Outbreak

The Lwiro Treatment Center, established in 2018 during the previous Ebola outbreak in North Kivu, has been repurposed for the current response in Sud-Kivu. The facility follows strict infection control protocols, including:

• Isolation wards: Separate units for confirmed cases, suspected cases, and recovered patients.
• Experimental therapies: Use of the rVSV-ZEBOV vaccine (Ervebo) and monoclonal antibody treatments like mAb114, approved by the WHO for emergency use.
• Psychosocial support: Integrated mental health services for both patients and frontline workers.
• Community engagement: Mobile teams that conduct door-to-door health education and contact tracing.

According to MSF, the center’s capacity has been expanded to accommodate up to 60 patients simultaneously, though current occupancy remains below 30%. “The infrastructure is there, but the challenge now is sustaining community trust,” said a spokesperson for MSF in a statement released on October 9, 2023.

What Happens Next: Vaccination and Containment Efforts

With the two survivors discharged, health authorities are shifting focus to three key priorities:

1. Expanding vaccination rings: The WHO has approved the administration of the Ervebo vaccine to close contacts of confirmed cases and frontline health workers. As of October 11, over 1,200 doses have been administered in Sud-Kivu, with additional shipments expected from the global stockpile.
2. Enhanced surveillance: Mobile laboratories are being deployed to Mwenga and Walikale territories to accelerate diagnostic testing. The current turnaround time for PCR tests has been reduced from 48 to 24 hours.
3. Community awareness campaigns: Local leaders and religious figures are being trained to disseminate accurate information about Ebola transmission and prevention, particularly in areas where misinformation has hindered response efforts.

Dr. Michel Yao, WHO’s representative in DRC, emphasized that “the discharge of these patients is a step forward, but we cannot afford complacency. The virus is still circulating, and our response must remain aggressive.” The next critical checkpoint will be the completion of the current vaccination ring by October 20, followed by an assessment of whether the outbreak can be declared contained.

Ebola in Sud-Kivu: A Timeline of the Current Outbreak

Key Questions About the Outbreak and Recovery

Q: How effective are the current Ebola treatments?

Clinical data from previous outbreaks shows that a combination of supportive care, fluid replacement, and experimental therapies like the Ervebo vaccine can reduce mortality rates to below 20%. In this outbreak, the two discharged patients received both the vaccine and monoclonal antibody treatments, which have been associated with improved survival rates in controlled studies. However, access to these therapies remains limited in remote areas of Sud-Kivu.

Q: Why is Sud-Kivu a high-risk area for Ebola?

Sud-Kivu’s vulnerability stems from several factors:

• Geography: The province borders Uganda and Burundi, increasing the risk of cross-border transmission.
• Infrastructure: Limited road networks and poor healthcare access in rural areas delay case detection.
• Conflict: Ongoing insecurity in parts of the province has disrupted response efforts, including vaccine distribution.
• Misinformation: Rumors about the origins of Ebola and the safety of vaccines have led to resistance in some communities.

The WHO has classified this outbreak as a public health emergency of international concern, requiring coordinated global support.

Q: What are the long-term health risks for survivors?

Ebola survivors often face physical and psychological challenges, including:

• Joint and muscle pain: Persistent symptoms in up to 60% of survivors.
• Vision and hearing loss: Reported in 10–20% of cases.
• Mental health conditions: PTSD and depression are common among survivors and their families.
• Reproductive health issues: Ebola can affect fertility, and survivors may experience complications during pregnancy.

The Lwiro center provides post-discharge follow-up care, including rehabilitation services and mental health support, in partnership with local NGOs.

Global Context: How This Outbreak Compares to Past Flare-Ups

While the current outbreak in Sud-Kivu is smaller in scale than the 2018–2020 Eastern DRC epidemic—which recorded over 3,400 cases—the response faces unique challenges. A comparison highlights key differences:

Despite the smaller scale, the Sud-Kivu outbreak serves as a reminder of the persistent threat Ebola poses in the DRC. “Each outbreak teaches us something new about the virus and how to respond,” said Dr. Muyembe. “The key is adapting our strategies based on local contexts.”

This story will be updated as new information becomes available. For now, the discharge of these two patients offers a glimmer of hope—but the fight against Ebola in Sud-Kivu is far from over. Your insights and questions are welcome in the comments below, and we encourage sharing this update to raise awareness about the ongoing response.