The Ebola outbreak in Congo has resulted in over 1,000 deaths, according to Africa’s top health body. The outbreak, which was declared on May 15, is the fastest Ebola outbreak in history, with conflict, community resistance, and an uneven response fueling its spread.
Challenges in Containment Efforts
Speaking at a health summit in Ghana, Dr. Jean Kaseya, director-general of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, said that 1,031 deaths have been confirmed. The latest update from Congo’s Ministry of Health showed that as of Monday, 2,473 cases had been recorded in the latest outbreak.
Community resistance to Ebola teams, particularly those carrying out safe burials, has also hampered the response. Robert Ndjalonga, head of civil protection in Ituri province, said some communities have refused to allow burial teams to operate because they prefer traditional burials, increasing the risk of further transmission.
Original reporting: Texarkana Gazette — read the source article.
