Congo Ebola outbreak claims nearly half of infected as cases cross 11,000
The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has resulted in over 11,000 cases and high fatalities. Basic health measures are inadequate, with most cases detected outside surveillance systems. Children are particularly affected, contributing to rising death rates due to lack of care. Attacks on health workers and facilities have further complicated containment efforts.
The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) remains uncontrolled six months after it was declared a public health emergency, according to Doctors Without Borders (MSF). Anna Halford, an MSF emergency co-ordinator, stated that most cases are "surprise cases," indicating that contact tracing is failing to track the disease's spread.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) declared the outbreak a public health emergency in May, although it is believed to have been spreading since the beginning of the year. Over 5,400 people have died from the outbreak, which has cost more than $962 million in aid. However, $700 million of this aid is unaccounted for, and there are critical shortcomings in the response.
Front-line workers are left without essential equipment, there are shortages of fuel for ambulances, surveillance teams are absent, and healthcare staff do not have supplies or technical support. Halford noted that there are "shortcomings in different areas," including healthcare workers lacking basic equipment, unpaid community awareness workers, and payments to healthcare workers not being made.
Two key indicators suggest that the response is not effective: most cases within treatment centres are "surprise cases" with no known epidemiological link to other cases, and most deaths are occurring in the community rather than in treatment centres. Conflict has further complicated the response, but Halford emphasized that a sustained and consistent resource allocation is needed to improve the situation.
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- Ebola outbreak not under control amid 'dysfunctions' in response, MSF warns thenationalnews.com
