DR Congo Ebola outbreak surpasses 8,000 cases as health-worker shortage deepens
publishers 29articles 31first reported 23 Sep, 09:45 UTCdeveloping since 23 Sep · 8 editions
The Democratic Republic of the Congo’s Ebola outbreak has infected 8,067 people and killed 3,901, according to Health Ministry figures cited by The Guardian. Earlier reports from CIDRAP and UN News placed the totals at nearly 7,800 cases and more than 3,700 deaths, respectively, reflecting earlier stages of the outbreak.
The World Health Organization has warned that the outbreak remains out of control and that the country lacks enough health workers to staff treatment centres, AP and Sky News reported. Cases have been confirmed in seven provinces, while Al Jazeera reported that the disease has reached new areas and that 10 neighbouring or nearby countries are considered at high risk.
The outbreak, announced on May 15, is the largest and deadliest recorded in DR Congo. It is caused by the Bundibugyo virus, for which there is no approved treatment or vaccine. Conflict, aid cuts, misinformation and attacks on health workers and treatment facilities have complicated the response.
Marie-Celestin Karondwa, a senior official in the ruling Union for Democracy and Social Progress in Butembo, was beaten to death after appearing on a radio program to promote Ebola prevention measures, his party said. The attackers also stole his belongings and set his home on fire. Their identity and motive were not immediately known. A day earlier, armed men attacked a hand-washing checkpoint in nearby Beni territory, killing at least one person and injuring several others, according to a local civil society group.
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