DR Congo Ebola toll tops 4,000 as response faces new disruption
Government data records 4,018 deaths and 8,300 confirmed cases across seven provinces, while a fire at an Ituri transit camp forced 19,000 people to flee.
The Democratic Republic of Congo’s Ebola outbreak has killed 4,018 people, with 8,300 confirmed cases across seven provinces, according to government figures released on Friday. The outbreak is the country’s largest and deadliest to date.
Response efforts have been hindered by weak infrastructure, remote communities and conflict in eastern DRC. Mistrust and anger towards health workers and authorities have added to the difficulties of containing the disease.
The UN said an Ebola-hit transit camp on the outskirts of Bunia was burned by soldiers earlier this week while they were searching for weapons. The fire forced 19,000 people to flee, further disrupting a centre used by patients needing treatment.
In a separate incident, local UDPS official Marie-Celestin Karondwa was beaten at his home in Butembo after taking part in a radio programme about the epidemic. His house was later set on fire, and he died in hospital. The supplied information does not establish a motive for the attack.
The World Health Organization has warned the epidemic is “far from over”. Africa CDC said confirmed cases were falling, while noting that insecurity and limited community cooperation could affect reporting.
The outbreak, caused by the Bundibugyo strain, was declared on 15 May. More than 2,000 patients have reportedly recovered; several treatments and vaccines are being trialled, but none is approved for this strain.
