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Congo Ebola Outbreak Deaths Top 5,000 as Virus Spreads
Confirmed
In Short: The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has surpassed 5,000 deaths, with the virus spreading to neighboring countries.
The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has surpassed 5,000 deaths, with the virus spreading to neighboring countries, according to government data.
Healthcare workers in the DRC have buried Joseline Ngonji Kale, a 55-year-old woman who died from the virus, in Bunia, Congo, on Friday, October 10th.
The outbreak, caused by the Bundibugyo strain of the virus, was declared in mid-May and has become the second deadliest in history, behind only the 2014-2016 epidemic that infected over 28,600 people and killed over 11,000 in Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone.
The virus has infected more than 10,000 people in the DRC since the outbreak was declared in May, with a nearly 50% lethality rate.
The outbreak has reached eight of the DRC’s 26 provinces, affecting 67 health zones.
Health officials are concerned about the virus spreading like COVID-19 unless more funding is secured to increase preparedness and possible treatment.
A senior politician from the ruling party was beaten to death in Butembo on Sunday after promoting Ebola prevention during a radio interview.
The Red Cross announced on Saturday that three volunteers had died in the DRC after apparently contracting Ebola while on duty there in March.
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.
Healthcare workers take part in a burial for Joseline Ngonji Kale, a 55-year-old woman who was killed by the Ebola virus, in Bunia, Congo, on Friday, October 10th.
The outbreak is concentrated in the eastern region of Congo, where conflict and disbelief among the population hinder containment efforts.
The Congolese Ministry of Health shows the virus has killed 5,026 out of 10,351 infected, with a nearly 50% lethality rate.
What this adds
The outbreak has surpassed previous reports of deaths and cases, with the virus spreading to neighboring countries.
Health officials are concerned about the virus spreading beyond the DRC's borders, with cases now recorded in other African countries.
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 the Bundibugyo virus, has surpassed 10,000 confirmed cases and nearly 5,000 deaths, with the virus spreading to neighboring countries.
What's confirmed
- Ebola has infected more than 10,000 people in the DRC since the outbreak was declared in May.
- Data from the Congolese Ministry of Health shows the virus has killed 5,026 out of 10,351 infected, with a nearly 50% lethality rate.
- Healthcare workers take part in a burial for Joseline Ngonji Kale, a 55 year old woman who was killed by the Ebola virus, in Bunia, Congo, Friday, Oct.
- Experts are concerned about the authorities' ability to contain the virus, which has spread to 67 health zones in eight provinces.
- The outbreak is concentrated in the eastern region of Congo, where conflict and disbelief among the population hinder containment efforts.
- Deaths in Congo's Ebola outbreak have topped 5,000 as the disease spreads relentlessly.
- A healthcare worker is disinfected after taking part in a burial for a victim of Ebola virus, in North Kivu, Congo, Friday, Oct.
- Deaths in Congo’s Ebola outbreak have topped 5,000 as the country grapples with the relentless spread of the disease and cases are recorded in other African countries, the latest government data on Saturday shows.
- The outbreak, caused by the Bundibugyo virus, was declared in mid-May and has become the second deadliest in history.
What's still developing
- Authorities are struggling to find a way to control the outbreak, with no approved treatments or vaccines.
- Delayed detection, conflict and strained health services have helped the virus spread more rapidly than in past outbreaks, reaching eight of the DRC’s 26 provinces to date.
- The virus has spread to neighbouring countries as well.
- There are no approved treatments or vaccines to combat the rare Bundibugyo strain of the virus, responsible for the ongoing outbreak.
- Last week, Nigeria became the fourth African country to report an Ebola case, extending the outbreak’s geographic spread to West Africa.
- "Behind every figure is a life interrupted, a family mourning, a health worker under pressure and a community seeking reassurance," said Mohamed Janabi, regional director for the World Health Organization Africa, at a press conference last week.
- “It is a very tragic milestone because it is just not a number,” said Dr. Patrick Otim, a programme area manager with the World Health Organization.
- “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.
- NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — Kenya’s Ebola outbreak rose to nine confirmed cases on Tuesday after another person who had been in contact with the country's first patient tested positive while in quarantine, health officials said.
- 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.
- BUTEMBO, Congo (AP) — A nurse was killed and a health worker severely injured after being attacked while responding to an Ebola alert in Congo, according to the World Health Organization.