Bunia, Sept 30:
The number of confirmed Ebola cases in Congo has crossed 8,000, with health authorities struggling to contain what has become the country’s deadliest Ebola outbreak.
According to the latest data released by Congo’s Health Ministry, 8,067 cases had been confirmed as of September 26, with 3,901 deaths reported across 63 health zones in seven of the country’s 26 provinces.
The outbreak, announced on May 15, is caused by the rare Bundibugyo virus. The authorities have faced difficulties in controlling its spread amid shortages of health workers.
The World Health Organisation said the high case-fatality rate and the number of deaths occurring within communities reflected continuing challenges in detecting cases early and providing timely treatment. The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention said 50 health workers had died since the outbreak began.
Health workers have also reported delayed or missing payments, leading to several strikes and further complicating the response to the outbreak.