Congo’s Ebola death toll passes 1,500 as it struggles to halt spread
Summary
The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has caused over 1,500 deaths with more than 3,400 cases reported. The virus is spreading quickly, especially in the eastern region affected by conflict, and efforts to control it face many challenges.Key Facts
- The DRC has reported 3,442 Ebola cases and 1,521 deaths as of the latest update.
- The death toll increased by 50% in one week.
- The outbreak is mainly in the Ituri province, which has nearly 90% of cases, but other provinces including Kisangani have reported cases.
- Lack of a vaccine for the Bundibugyo Ebola variant and ongoing conflicts hinder response efforts.
- Delays in tracing contacts and mistrust from local communities slow down virus control.
- About 63% of recent deaths happened outside treatment centers due to unsafe handling of infected bodies.
- Health workers have protested over unpaid wages and unsafe conditions, stopping some outbreak work.
- The World Health Organization says the risk of Ebola spreading globally is low because it does not spread through the air.
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