Congo Ebola outbreak surpasses 10,000 confirmed cases
The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has surpassed 10,000 confirmed cases, with 4,887 deaths, according to Health Ministry data released Tuesday. The outbreak, declared in May, is the country’s largest and deadliest on record and is caused by the rare Bundibugyo virus, for which there is no approved vaccine or treatment.
The disease has expanded from three health zones to 66 across eight provinces. Cases linked to the wider outbreak have also been recorded elsewhere in Africa, including Kenya and Nigeria, while Uganda has restricted non-essential travel to and from Congo and imposed quarantine requirements on returning citizens.
Response efforts in Congo have been hindered by armed conflict, poor roads, mistrust, misinformation and labor disputes over delayed or unpaid wages. The World Health Organization said a nurse was killed and another health worker seriously …