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DR Congo Ebola Outbreak Tops 8,000 Cases as Response Collapses

Severe staff shortages with rising violence and no approved vaccine could let the epidemic grow larger than the 2014–2016 West Africa outbreak.

Overview

  • A government situation report published Monday recorded 8,067 confirmed cases and 3,901 deaths across 63 health zones, a crude fatality rate near 48 percent.
  • The outbreak is caused by the rare Bundibugyo ebolavirus for which no licensed vaccine or proven treatment exists and several candidate vaccines and therapies are now in clinical trials.
  • WHO and partners say response capacity is collapsing because thousands of specialized staff are unavailable after delayed pay, strikes and the deaths of about 50 health workers.
  • Widespread mistrust, attacks on officials and the forced movement of displaced people are blocking contact tracing and safe burials, leaving a high share of deaths to occur in communities.
  • The United States pledged an additional $267 million to expand treatment units, burial teams and testing, but agencies warn far larger and sustained funding and improved access are needed to change the epidemic’s course.