Witnessing joy amid the death: BBC travels to epicentre of Ebola outbreak
Summary
Health workers in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Ebola outbreak zone celebrated the recovery of a patient who tested negative after three weeks of treatment. Despite the death of over 140 people from the Bundibugyo strain, efforts to control the outbreak continue amid local myths and fears about the disease and its treatment.Key Facts
- Over 140 people have died from the Ebola outbreak in Ituri province, DR Congo.
- The Ebola virus involved is the Bundibugyo species, which kills about 20% of infected people.
- A patient named Daniel Kitambala recovered after three weeks in hospital, testing negative twice for Ebola.
- Local myths include beliefs that Ebola is caused by a "coffin curse" and that treatment centers cause the illness.
- People initially resorted to traditional medicine before seeking hospital care.
- The hospital treating Ebola patients has experienced violence, including an arson attack on a treatment tent.
- The recovery of patients is improving trust in healthcare and encouraging more people to seek treatment.
- Ebola spreads through contact with infected bodily fluids like blood and vomit.
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