Ebola out of control in Congo: 8,067 cases, 3,901 deaths, and health workers in short supply
Congo's Ebola outbreak, already declared an international emergency by the WHO, has recorded 8,067 cases and 3,901 deaths as of September 26.
The Ebola outbreak in Congo appears to be spiralling out of control. The World Health Organization (WHO) has already declared the epidemic an international emergency, but the situation in the country is still not improving.
Figures up to September 26 show 8,067 cases and 3,901 deaths from the disease in the country. The figures cover 63 health zones in seven of the country's 26 provinces. This means more than 48 of every 100 infected people are dying. The biggest worry is that Congo is now short of health workers to fight the disease.
This is Congo's 17th Ebola outbreak and its deadliest so far. It is spread by the Bundibugyo virus, for which there is as yet no approved treatment or vaccine. According to the WHO, a large number of people are dying before they reach hospital, which shows that people are not getting treatment in time. Late testing and delayed treatment have also been cited as major reasons for the deaths.
A major difficulty in tackling the disease is people's lack of trust. Some believe the disease is only a rumour. The distrust is so serious that health workers and treatment centres have been attacked in many places.
Given the severity of Ebola, resources are being rapidly diverted to containment, and this is affecting other health services. According to OCHA, the United Nations agency, everyday basic health services in Ituri province fell by 13 per cent between April and June. Fear is also keeping people away from hospitals.
The shortage of health workers has become a major challenge. Delayed and unpaid salaries have led to strikes in several areas. According to Africa CDC, 50 health workers have died since the start of the epidemic. The number of new patients has fallen in some areas, but the disease is spreading in others. Africa CDC figures show the pace of the current epidemic is faster than that of the 2014-16 West Africa Ebola epidemic.
The WHO has warned that if the pace continues, the epidemic could reach the scale of the earlier crisis, in which about 11,000 people died. Bringing the virus under control is now a major challenge for Congo. Violence, strikes by health workers and continuing displacement have made every containment effort harder.
