The deadly Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has not yet reached its peak, the Red Cross said Tuesday, warning it could take a year to halt the spread.
Since the outbreak was declared in the DRC on May 15, 808 cases have been confirmed in the country, including 192 deaths, according to the World Health Organisation.
Speaking from Bunia, the capital of Ituri — the northeastern province which is the outbreak’s epicentre — a top official from the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies said the crisis appeared far from over.
“Here in Bunia, what I can see is that we did not reach the peak of the epidemic,” Bruno Michon, the IFRC’s operations manager for the Ebola outbreak, told reporters in Geneva by video call.
Like a number of other organisations working on the Ebola response on the ground, he said the IFRC was concerned about a dire lack of testing capacity, warning: “it’s very difficult to know exactly to what extent the epidemic is spreading”.
“The peak is, I think, not beyond us, but in front of us,” he said, adding: “We are afraid that this could last one year” before ending the outbreak.
No approved vaccines or treatments exist for the Bundibugyo strain of the virus responsible for the current outbreak, which although centred in Ituri, has also been detected in North Kivu and South Kivu provinces.
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The outbreak has also spread to neighbouring Uganda, which to date counts 19 confirmed cases, including two deaths.
In the DRC especially, Michon warned that reining in the outbreak would require large efforts in gaining the trust of the affected communities.
“To stop this outbreak, we need to invest not only in medical response, but also in trust, local volunteers, community engagement and operational access,” he said.
He pointed out that “in recent days, DRC Red Cross volunteers have faced verbal abuse, threats and even physical attacks while carrying out their work”.
“Trust is not a secondary activity in an Ebola response. Trust is central. Without trust, we cannot detect cases early. We cannot ensure safe burials. We cannot protect families. And we cannot stop transmission,” he said.
AFP
Read the full article at The Punch →📄Source document: World Health Organization→6 reports
The PunchIndependentCenter2 days agoThe World Health Organization has warned that the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo is spreading rapidly. The article provides information on the worsening situation and efforts to address the virus.
Bias read (Center): The article reports a warning from the WHO regarding the spread of Ebola in the DRC without apparent framing or slant. It does not include opinionated language, one-sided sourcing, or omissions that would indicate a particular ideological leaning.
Vanguard NigeriaIndependentCenter2 days agoThe World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is spreading rapidly, despite increased efforts to contain the virus. The outbreak, declared on May 15, is caused by the rare Bundibugyo strain of the virus, for which there is no vaccine. As of the latest update, there have been 896 confirmed cases, including 232 deaths, with 21 new cases reported in the past 24 hours. Over 90% of cases have occurred in Ituri province, which is experiencing ongoing conflict. The outbreak has also spread to North Kivu and South Kivu provinces. The D
Bias read (Center): The article reports on an international health crisis without taking a stance or using biased language. It presents facts from the WHO and provides context about the outbreak, including case numbers, affected regions, and challenges in containment. No clear ideological framing or emphasis on one set
The PunchIndependentCenter5 days ago Ebola crisis in DR Congo may last a year — Red CrossThe Red Cross warns that the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo may last up to a year due to challenges such as limited testing capacity. As of the latest report, there have been 808 confirmed cases and 192 deaths since the outbreak began on May 15. The outbreak is centered in Ituri province, with cases also reported in North Kivu and South Kivu. No approved vaccines or treatments are available for the Bundibugyo strain of the virus.
Bias read (Center): The article presents factual information without overtly biased language or framing. It reports on the Red Cross' warnings and includes data from the World Health Organization. There is no clear ideological slant in the wording or emphasis.
Vanguard NigeriaIndependentCenter7 days ago Lagos activates operation BioShield’ over EbolaThe Lagos State Government has launched 'Operation Lagos BioShield,' an emergency public awareness campaign aimed at preventing the importation of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) into the state. This initiative follows recent outbreaks of the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda. Officials emphasized that there are currently no confirmed cases of Ebola in Lagos or Nigeria and stressed that the campaign is a proactive measure rather than a response to a crisis.
Bias read (Center): The article presents information from official sources without apparent bias. It reports on a public health initiative by the Lagos State Government, emphasizing the absence of confirmed cases and the preventive nature of the campaign. There is no evident slant in language, sourcing, or framing.
Official sources cited
- government Lagos State Government
Vanguard NigeriaIndependentCenter8 days ago Uganda slams ‘unfair’ Ebola air travel restrictionsUganda has criticized air travel restrictions imposed by several countries, including the United States, Canada, and the United Arab Emirates, in response to an Ebola outbreak that originated in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Uganda's health ministry and other officials have argued that the restrictions are 'unfair' and not proportionate to the actual risk, as Uganda has had only two deaths out of 19 confirmed cases, with most cases being Congolese nationals who crossed into Uganda. The World Health Organization is mentioned as a relevant authority in the context of the outbreak.
Bias read (Center): The article presents factual information about Uganda's response to the Ebola outbreak and the travel restrictions imposed by other countries. It includes statements from Ugandan officials and provides context about the number of cases and deaths in Uganda versus the DRC. The language is neutral, and no overtly biased or emotionally charged terms are used. The article does not favor one side over another and provides a balanced overview of the situation.
Official sources cited
- organisation World Health Organization
The Guardian NigeriaIndependentCenter12 days agoThe Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) reported that confirmed Ebola deaths have reached 101, with the outbreak primarily affecting three provinces—Ituri, North Kivu, and South Kivu—that have long been plagued by armed conflict. The government noted 35 new confirmed cases in the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 550. The presence of armed groups has hindered the response efforts, and mistrust among local populations has further complicated containment measures. Recent attacks on burial teams have also been reported.
Bias read (Center): The article presents factual information about the Ebola outbreak in the DRC without apparent ideological framing. It reports on the number of cases and deaths, mentions challenges like armed groups and mistrust, but does not take a stance or use biased language. The content remains neutral and is a
Official sources cited
- government Congo’s government situation report
NG