Ebola kills 3 Red Cross workers in the Congo, organization says
Summary
Three Red Cross volunteers in northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo died after likely catching Ebola while working in March. The Ebola outbreak there has caused many deaths and is being treated as an international health emergency by the World Health Organization.Key Facts
- The three volunteers died after managing dead bodies in a community unaware of the Ebola outbreak at the time.
- They were from the Mongbwalu branch of the DR Congo Red Cross in Ituri province, the outbreak’s center.
- One volunteer died on May 5, and the other two on May 15 and 16.
- The Ebola strain involved, Bundibugyo virus, is rare and currently has no approved vaccine or treatment.
- The World Health Organization raised the risk level in Congo to “very high” for the outbreak.
- So far, there are 82 confirmed Ebola cases and 7 confirmed deaths in the country, with many more suspected.
- Healthcare workers are especially at risk because of close contact with infected people.
- The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies supports ongoing efforts to help affected communities.
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