Death toll in DRC Ebola outbreak reaches 1,000

By (CNA/EWTN)
5/9/2019 (1 week ago)
Catholic Online (https://www.catholic.org)

The Ebola outbreak that began last August in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has now claimed more than 1,000 lives, the nation's health ministry has confirmed.

Highlights

By (CNA/EWTN)
Catholic Online (https://www.catholic.org)
5/9/2019 (1 week ago)

Published in Africa

Keywords: Death toll, DRC Ebola outbreak, world news

---

Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, (CNA) - Efforts to contain the disease have been hampered by misinformation and distrust on the part of local communities, who in some cases have retaliated against health teams by attacking them.

Dr. Michael Ryan, deputy director of the World Health Organization, said there have been more than 100 attacks on medical centers and staff this year, the BBC reported. This has limited many of the health services that non-governmental organizations are able to provide.

More than 100,000 people have received the Ebola vaccine, according to the Associated Press, but many more are fearful of it and refuse to receive it. In addition, violence in the eastern part of DRC has made it difficult to reach some areas of the country, and difficult to monitor the virus as it spreads. This has led to fears that Ebola may reach neighboring countries in the east, including Rwanda, Uganda and Burundi.

U.S. Ambassador Mike Hammer told CNN that an outbreak of Ebola in western DRC last year was "successfully defeated within a matter of months," partly because "it was in a secure area, an area not affected by conflict."

The ongoing Ebola outbreak is the second deadliest on record. An outbreak in 2014-2016 in West Africa killed more than 11,000 people.

Symptoms of Ebola include fever, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle pains and occasional bleeding and is primarily spread through contact with bodily fluids. The disease is fatal in up to 90 percent of cases.

More Africa

• « Prev
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• 6
• 7
• 8
• 9
• Next »

South African bishops: New president must tackle corruption, poverty Watch

In the wake of President Cyril Ramaphosa's successful reelection bid last week, South Africa's Catholic bishops are applauding the ... continue reading

---

To promote peace, Ghana's chief Muslim cleric goes to Mass Watch

As part of his efforts to increase interreligious peace, Ghana's chief imam attended Easter Mass ahead of his 100th birthday celebration. ... continue reading

---

---

Death toll in DRC Ebola outbreak reaches 1,000 Watch

The Ebola outbreak that began last August in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has now claimed more than 1,000 lives, the nation's ... continue reading

---

Nicaraguan bishops lament continued suffering under Ortega Watch

The Nicaraguan bishops lamented Wednesday that "the Nicaraguan family continues to suffer," and called for no more "repressive actions and ... continue reading

---

African bishops offer prayers, call for aid after Cyclone Idai wreaks havoc Watch

Bishops in Malawi, Mozambique, and elsewhere in Africa are calling for prayers and humanitarian aid following deadly floods and tropical ... continue reading

---

• « Prev
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• 6
• 7
• 8
• 9
• Next »