'Ebola Has Tortured Us': Fear Grips Eastern DR Congo as Deadly Virus Spreads
Authorities reported 131 suspected deaths and more than 500 suspected cases as the rare virus moved into urban centers and overwhelmed surveillance.
- On Tuesday, World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus expressed deep concern over the "scale and speed" of a rare Ebola variant outbreak in eastern Congo, where authorities reported at least 131 deaths and over 500 suspected cases.
- The virus spread undetected for weeks after the initial April 24 death because local authorities mistakenly tested samples for a common Ebola strain, producing false negatives that delayed the response.
- Confirmed infections in major cities including Bunia, Goma, and Butembo place over 1.9 million residents at risk, complicating containment in a region already struggling with over 273,000 displaced people.
- On Monday, the U.S. State Department provided $13 million in assistance for the response, pushing aside criticism regarding the timing of their intervention.
- Lacking approved medicines or vaccines, officials are relying on standard public health measures to break the Ebola transmission chain, a strategy that controlled 15 of 17 prior epidemics in Congo.
51 Articles
51 Articles
Death toll from Ebola outbreak in Central Africa sharply rises
(NBC, KYMA) - The death toll from an Ebola outbreak in Central Africa rose sharply Tuesday, with the head of the World Health Organization (WHO) expressing concern over the "scale and speed of the epidemic." At least 131 people are believed to have died and 531 suspected to have been infected, according to the Congolese Health Ministry. An American missionary was among those who tested positive for the deadly disease. Global health experts are w…
As the virus spreads further in Central Africa, the transmission chains are feverishly searched for.
The virus spread undetected for several weeks. At least 139 people have died and over 600 are suspected of being infected. The WHO Director-General is "deeply concerned about the scale and speed of the epidemic". The African Union's infectious disease control unit classifies the Ebola outbreak as a security threat to the continent. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, around 200 Swedish citizens are in the infected area.
The World Health Organization (WHO) is drawing $3.4 million (over €2.9 million) from its emergency fund to combat the Ebola virus outbreak. The number of infections has risen further and is expected to continue rising, according to Secretary General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
WHO Chief Concerned Over ‘Scale and Speed’ of Ebola Outbreak as Congo Reports 134 Dead
BUNIA, Congo (AP) — The World Health Organization director-general has expressed concern over the rapid spread of a rare type of Ebola in eastern Congo. Authorities have reported at least 134 suspected deaths and over 500 cases. The Bundibugyo virus has no approved treatments or vaccines. The outbreak has been declared a public health emergency requiring international response. The virus has spread to urban areas, raising fears of further spread…
The number of people infected and killed is rising rapidly – 131 people have died so far. Health experts are concerned about this.
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