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Congo Ebola Outbreak Kills Over 5,000, Surpasses 10,000 Cases
· Confirmed
In Short: The Democratic Republic of Congo's Ebola outbreak, caused by the Bundibugyo virus, has surpassed 10,000 confirmed cases and nearly 5,000 deaths.
Local health officials have declared the outbreak as the second largest Ebola virus outbreak globally and the fastest growing in the DRC's history.
Since the outbreak was first declared in mid-May, 4,887 deaths have been recorded across eight provinces in the DRC.
More than 10,000 people have been infected, making it the largest outbreak on record in the DRC.
Greg Ramm, the DRC director of an organization, described the grim milestone as a 'stark reminder of the scale of this crisis.'
Families are struggling to access healthcare, and health facilities are under immense pressure.
Children are bearing some of the heaviest consequences of the outbreak, with many communities lacking the resources needed to prevent transmission.
Health workers on the ground have reported facing violence, threats, and conspiracy theories while fighting to contain the outbreak.
An attack on health workers responding to an Ebola alert left one nurse dead and another injured.
The Bundibugyo virus strain did not show up on available Ebola testing kits for weeks, and there is no available vaccine for it.
Kenya and Nigeria have reported their first cases linked to the ongoing outbreak, raising concerns about the virus spreading further.
Health officials warn that the unprecedented spread of the Ebola outbreak could reach other countries, including the UK, unless more funding is secured.
The World Health Organization has urged sustained efforts to end the outbreak.
What this adds
The outbreak has surpassed previous WarpBeat reports, with the latest figures showing a higher death toll and more cases.
The epidemiological pattern of the Bundibugyo virus disease outbreak is becoming increasingly heterogeneous, with divergent transmission trends across affected provinces and health zones.
A senior politician from the ruling party was beaten to death in Butembo after promoting Ebola prevention during a radio interview.
The Red Cross announced that three volunteers had died in the DRC after apparently contracting Ebola while on duty there in March.
Background
The Democratic Republic of Congo's Ebola outbreak, caused by the Bundibugyo virus, has surpassed 10,000 confirmed cases and nearly 5,000 deaths.
The Democratic Republic of Congo's Ebola outbreak, caused by a rare strain, has reached 10,000 confirmed cases.
What's confirmed
- "Everyone working to protect communities from this deadly disease must be able to work in dignity and safety," he said in a post on X.
- Earlier this month, two countries, Kenya and Nigeria, reported their first cases linked to the ongoing outbreak.
What's still developing
- "We have the expertise and the capacity on this continent. We must mobilise them together to stop this outbreak and save lives."
- Africa CDC's director-general, Jean Kaseya, said their response "must move faster".
- "Those responding to the Ebola outbreak must be protected," Professor Janabi said.
- Kenya has confirmed a new Ebola case, bringing the total number of infections to nine, the health ministry said on Tuesday.
- Authorities have identified 135 contacts linked to the nine patients, with 134 now in quarantine.
- A senior politician from the ruling party was beaten to death in Butembo on Sunday after promoting Ebola prevention during a radio interview, Reuters reported.
- “Reconsider travel to Kenya due to risk of health, crime, kidnapping, terrorism, unrest, and traffic safety. Some areas have increased risk,” the State Department said on Monday, raising the advisory to level 3 that asks Americans to reconsider travel, from an earlier level 2 that urges increased caution.
- The Congolese were matching the Portuguese, though, and 35-year-old veteran striker Cedric Bakambu shrugged aside Bruno Fernandes, but his shot came back off the near post.
- KINSHASA, Congo (AP) — Police in Congo fired tear gas Tuesday to disperse hundreds of people demonstrating against constitutional changes they said could allow President Felix Tshisekedi to seek a third term in office.
- The epidemiological pattern of the Bundibugyo virus disease (BVD) outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is becoming increasingly heterogeneous, with divergent transmission trends across affected provinces and health zones.
- Kenya has recorded its third case of Ebola, a close relative of the country’s first two Ebola cases, the health ministry said on Friday.
Sources
- Reuterslink
- ABC News & Headlines – Australian Broadcasting Corporationlink
- BBClink
- NPRlink
- Sightmagazinelink
- The Guardianlink
- Traverse City Record-Eaglelink
- World Visionlink
- Peoplelink
- Healthpolicy-Watchlink
- Newslink
- Ntvkenyalink
- Washingtonexaminerlink
- CBS Newslink
- Jamaicaobserverlink
- Newspressnowlink
- africanews — video link