WHO Reports DRC's Ebola Outbreak Began Months Before Official Declaration
The World Health Organization (WHO) has revealed that the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) began in February, months before it was officially declared in mid-May. The outbreak, caused by the rare Bundibugyo virus, has resulted in 4,200 confirmed cases and over 1,900 deaths. The delay in declaration was partly due to early misdiagnosis of cases as malaria and typhoid. The outbreak is occurring under challenging conditions, including strikes by unpaid health workers, threats from rebel groups, and misinformation about the virus. Health teams face shortages of protective gear and difficulties accessing remote areas.