DR Congo Ebola outbreak kills more than 1,700 as WHO accelerates trials
Summary
The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has killed over 1,700 people and infected nearly 3,800 since May 15. The World Health Organization is speeding up testing of new treatments and vaccines for this rare virus strain, even though none are yet approved.Key Facts
- The outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, which is rare and has no approved vaccines or treatments.
- Over 1,700 people have died out of about 3,800 confirmed cases.
- More than 17,000 people who had contact with infected individuals are being monitored, with about 80% followed daily.
- This is the second-largest and fastest-growing Ebola outbreak ever recorded.
- The outbreak is mostly in Ituri province in eastern Congo, which has nearly 90% of cases.
- Over 100 healthcare workers have been infected during this outbreak.
- Response efforts face problems like violence, attacks on health centers, trouble reaching communities, mistrust of authorities, and funding cuts.
- Healthcare workers have threatened or staged strikes because of unpaid wages and unsafe working conditions.
- Previous large Ebola outbreaks took longer to reach similar death tolls, showing how fast this one is spreading.
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