Ebola spread in central Africa could match 2014 record outbreak, US health officials say
Summary
US health officials say the Ebola outbreak in Central Africa could become as large as the 2014-2016 West Africa outbreak. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) used computer models to predict cases could range between 10,000 and over 20,000, depending on how quickly infected people are isolated.Key Facts
- The 2014-2016 West Africa Ebola outbreak had over 28,000 cases and more than 11,000 deaths.
- The current Central African Ebola outbreak has about 400 confirmed cases and 63 deaths, with likely more unreported cases.
- Ebola spreads through contact with bodily fluids like blood, vomit, or semen.
- There are no specific treatments or vaccines for the virus causing this outbreak, called the Bundibugyo virus.
- The outbreak is worsened by armed conflicts and violence in the region, displacing many people.
- CDC models show better isolation of infected people could limit cases to around 10,000.
- If isolation is poor or deaths are undercounted, cases could exceed 20,000.
- Predicting outbreak size is difficult due to limited data and changing situations.
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