We are chasing Ebola virus - it is ahead of us, WHO warns
Summary
The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) started at least three months before officials recognized it, causing health authorities to lag behind the spread of the virus. More than 1,900 people have died so far, and the outbreak remains difficult to control due to insecurity and the lack of approved treatments.Key Facts
- The Ebola outbreak began spreading in DR Congo around February but was officially declared on May 15.
- Over 4,200 cases and nearly 2,000 deaths have been reported, making this the second-largest Ebola outbreak ever.
- The virus in this outbreak is the Bundibugyo type, which currently has no approved vaccine or specific treatment.
- Insecurity in the eastern DR Congo region makes it hard for health workers to reach many patients.
- Health workers can only reach about 30% of cases; many people die at home without treatment.
- Traditional burial customs, where people touch the dead body, increase virus transmission.
- Improved diagnosis and dedicated treatment centers have been set up to help control the outbreak.
- The West Africa Ebola outbreak from 2014 to 2016 caused more than 11,000 deaths, the largest recorded so far.
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