Record Ebola Outbreak in Congo
DR Congo Ebola Outbreak Reaches Record 8,000 Cases Amid Severe Response Challenges
Anonymous
The Democratic Republic of Congo’s Bundibugyo-strain Ebola outbreak has reached 8,067 confirmed cases and 3,901 deaths, making it the largest and deadliest in the country’s history and the second-largest recorded outbreak globally. The World Health Organization says the outbreak remains uncontrolled, with cases rising in some areas and children under 5 facing particularly high risk. The response is being hampered by insecurity, displacement, health-worker shortages and strikes over delayed pay; 50 health workers have died, and deaths in communities point to continuing barriers to early diagnosis and care. Although $2.9 billion has been mobilized for the response, Africa CDC’s director has stressed that funding must translate into services for affected communities.
Key Points
1
As of September 26, the outbreak had spread across 63 health zones in seven of the DRC’s 26 provinces, with a fatality rate above 48%.
2
The outbreak was announced on May 15 and is caused by the rare Bundibugyo virus, for which there is no known treatment or vaccine.
3
Of the response funding Africa CDC reported, the United States contributed $886 million and the European Union mobilized €500 million (about $568 million) in emergency aid, vaccines and treatment.
4
By week 19, the current outbreak had recorded 7,840 cases, compared with 3,781 cases in the 2014–2016 West African outbreak at the same point, indicating a faster spread over that period.
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