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Congo Ebola cases cross 8,000 as health worker shortages hamper response
Congo’s Ebola outbreak has crossed 8,000 confirmed cases, with officials and aid agencies warning that the country is running short of health workers needed to contain the disease. The current outbreak, announced on May 15, is the country’s 17th and its deadliest, and is caused by the rare Bundibugyo virus, which has no known treatment or vaccine. According to the latest data from Congo’s health ministry, released on Sunday, 8,067 cases had been confirmed and 3,901 people had died as of September 26. The outbreak has spread across 63 health zones in seven of the country’s 26 provinces, with a fatality rate of more than 48 per cent. In its latest report, the World Health Organisation said, “The continuously high crude case fatality ratio, and especially the continuously high rate of deaths occurring in communities, highlights the seriousness of the disease and the persistent challenges in timely case detection and access to early and adequate patient care.” It said this showed that a large share of those infected were dying, without accounting for factors such as delays in seeking help or hidden cases. The outbreak has also been marked by unrest and mistrust. An official of Congo’s ruling party UDPS,...
