'DRC's largest Ebola outbreak on record: Active conflict and armed groups hamper the response'

The Democratic Republic of Congo is experiencing its largest Ebola outbreak on record. The outbreak, which has been described as the fastest-spreading on record, has seen 4,053 confirmed cases, including 1,850 deaths, according to the country's public health institute. The epidemic has been recorded in five provinces: Ituri, North Kivu, South Kivu, Haut-Uele, and Tshopo.

The response to the outbreak has been hindered by several factors, including delayed diagnosis, the complexity of distinguishing this Bundibugyo strain from other common illnesses, and the immense operational challenges of working in an active conflict zone, according to Heather Kerr, Country Director for Congo at the International Rescue Committee, as reported by France 24.

Additionally, researchers have identified over 500 suspected cases between mid-January and May 15, suggesting that the outbreak may have started circulating months before it was declared on May 15.

Health workers on the front lines of the outbreak have been facing significant challenges, including poor welfare and payment issues, with some workers, such as Wiza Bondele, reporting that they have been working without pay since the outbreak was declared, as reported by the Associated Press. The outbreak is considered the second-largest in the world, with only West Africa's 2014-16 outbreak being larger, with over 28,000 cases recorded across Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone.

Brief written by urgent.news from France 24, Daily Maverick, Jerusalem Post, Associated Press, DW News — 5 reports on this story. Machine-written — read the original for the full account.