The Democratic Republic of Congo's latest Ebola outbreak has claimed more than 100 lives, with health authorities warning that armed conflict and attacks on aid workers are hindering efforts to contain the disease.
In its latest situation report, released on Tuesday (9 June), the government said confirmed Ebola deaths had risen to 115, while confirmed cases were nearly 600.
22 patients have recovered and the new cases are not from spreading to other health zones.
The outbreak involves the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola and was officially declared a global health emergency on 15 May.
However, officials have since acknowledged that the virus had likely been spreading undetected for weeks before it was identified, leaving health teams struggling to catch up.
The outbreak is affecting three provinces in eastern Congo that have long been troubled by armed conflict: Ituri, North Kivu and South Kivu.
Most cases have been reported in Ituri, where infections have now been recorded in 17 health zones. Seven health zones in North Kivu and one in South Kivu have also reported cases.
Health officials say insecurity remains one of the biggest obstacles to controlling the outbreak.
The government said the presence of armed groups in the Ituri territories of Djugu, Irumu and Mambasa continues "to limit humanitarian access in multiple health zones affected or at risk."
Mistrust of authorities and resistance to health measures have further complicated the response.
There have been reports of attacks on treatment centres and burial teams working to contain the virus. The latest incident took place on Sunday at Nyamurongo Cemetery in Bunia, according to a source familiar with the government's response efforts.
The source said a burial team was attacked, leaving two people seriously injured and damaging two vehicles.
Despite the security concerns, the government said Bunia, the capital of Ituri Province, remained relatively calm.
Earlier on Monday, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention reported 544 confirmed Ebola cases and 88 deaths in Congo, figures slightly lower than those later released by the government.
U.S. President Donald Trump has called for Iran to pay compensation for decades of deaths and damage, adding a new demand to peace talks as Tehran see...
As Russian officials praise Georgia’s “pragmatic” approach towards Moscow, Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has explained why he will not descri...
Europe is facing more frequent and prolonged extreme heat, with climate change making heatwaves increasingly intense and widespread, the World Meteoro...
One hundred years after the First World War and more than eighty years after the devastation of the Second World War gave rise to the United Nations, humanity once again finds itself living in an age of permanent crisis.
Flights arriving at Catania airport in eastern Sicily were suspended after volcanic ash from a new eruption of Mount Etna drifted into the airspace around the airport, disrupting operations at one of Italy’s busiest aviation hubs.
For months, efforts to secure the Red Sea have focused on what is happening in the water. Naval deployments have increased, governments have expanded maritime cooperation and shipping companies have adapted to persistent security threats.
Greenland has issued a “strong warning” to a U.S. oil company linked to President Donald Trump after drilling equipment was brought ashore without the required government approvals, according to British media.
Iran said it was nearing a final pact with Oman defining new shipping lanes between them through the Strait of Hormuz but repeated that the U.S. must meet other conditions.
Europe is facing more frequent and prolonged extreme heat, with climate change making heatwaves increasingly intense and widespread, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) warned on Tuesday.
Kyrgyzstan has proposed hosting part of Russian e-commerce giant Wildberries’ warehouse and logistics network, aiming to reduce supply-chain risks and strengthen trade with Russia.
North Korea has deployed troops, weapons and now, according to a Ukrainian intelligence official, a missile unit to support Russia's war against Ukraine, marking Pyongyang's most significant involvement in a war since the 1950s.
U.S. President Donald Trump has called for Iran to pay compensation for decades of deaths and damage, adding a new demand to peace talks as Tehran seeks compensation and sanctions relief before reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
A criminal court in Damascus has sentenced former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to death in absentia for premeditated murder, torture, arbitrary detention and crimes against humanity, according to Syria’s state news agency SANA.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment