Ebola killing a victim every 30 minutes in DR Congo, says UN
The outbreak has killed at least 2,128 people out of more than 4,500 confirmed cases since it was declared in the DRC on May 15.
GENEVA: The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has claimed at least 2,128 lives out of 4,500 confirmed cases since May 15, according to a UN official. Tom Fletcher, under-secretary-general for Humanitarian Affairs, warned that the virus is killing a victim every 30 minutes and called for urgent international action.
The epidemic, the fastest-growing on record, has spread to six provinces in the DRC and Uganda, with recent cases also reported near the border with South Sudan. Despite receiving nearly $300 million from countries, Fletcher has allocated an additional $30.5 million from an emergency UN fund to aid in combating the outbreak. He stressed the need for speed, scale, and solidarity, as well as the provision of safe burials, increased treatment capacity, improved contact tracing, and more experienced managers.
The 17th Ebola outbreak, caused by the Bundibugyo strain with no known treatment or vaccine, has claimed more than 15,000 lives in Africa over the past 50 years.
Written by urgent.news from Free Malaysia Today's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
This story
This is one outlet's version. Read the fullest account.
- Ebola outbreak in DR Congo: One death every 30 minutes france24.com
- Ebola killing a victim every 30 minutes in DR Congo, says UN freemalaysiatoday.com
