Explore

AP News AP News
WHO chief visits Congo to support Ebola efforts as some workers strike over pay

WHO chief visits Congo to support Ebola efforts as some workers strike over pay

The head of the World Health Organization has arrived in Congo as the Ebola outbreak spreads at an alarming rate
Rapid Read Rapid Read
WHO Director-General Visits Congo Amid Ebola Outbreak and Worker Strikes

WHO Director-General Visits Congo Amid Ebola Outbreak and Worker Strikes

The World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus visited Congo to address the rapidly spreading Ebola outbreak, which has resulted in 3,874 confirmed cases and 1,751 deaths. The visit comes as some health workers have gone on strike due to unpaid wages, exacerbating the healthcare challenges in the region. The outbreak, centered in Ituri, is the second-largest in history, following the 2014-2016 West Africa outbreak. The Bundibugyo virus causing this outbreak has no approved treatment or vaccine, and late detection of cases has contributed to a high fatality rate. The WHO aims to improve response efforts and break transmission chains, but contact tracing remains ineffective, with many new cases arising outside monitored groups.
Reuters Reuters
Why Congo's Ebola outbreak is spreading faster than previous epidemics

Why Congo's Ebola outbreak is spreading faster than previous epidemics

By Clement Bonnerot and Jessica Donati DAKAR, Aug 5 (Reuters) - The Ebola epidemic in Democratic Republic of Congo is on track to surpass 4,000 cases this week and has been described as the fastest spreading on record since it was officially declared in May.  
Rapid Read Rapid Read
WHO Accelerates Trials Amidst Deadly Ebola Outbreak in DR Congo

WHO Accelerates Trials Amidst Deadly Ebola Outbreak in DR Congo

The Democratic Republic of the Congo is experiencing a severe Ebola outbreak, with over 1,700 deaths reported. The World Health Organization (WHO) is accelerating trials for experimental treatments, preventive medicines, and vaccines. The outbreak is concentrated in the Ituri province, which accounts for nearly 90% of cases. The response has been hampered by delays in contact tracing, violence, and mistrust of health authorities. The outbreak is the second-largest on record and is spreading rapidly, with more than 100 healthcare workers infected. The WHO is working to address these challenges and is monitoring over 17,000 potential contacts.
Reuters Reuters
US will nearly double financial commitment to Ebola response

US will nearly double financial commitment to Ebola response

By Aaron Ross Aug 5 (Reuters) - The U.S. State Department on Wednesday nearly doubled its financial commitment to the Ebola response in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, announcing plans to provide an additional $242 million to combat the second-largest outbreak of the disease in history. 
Reuters Reuters
Explainer-Why Congo's Ebola outbreak is spreading faster than previous epidemics

Explainer-Why Congo's Ebola outbreak is spreading faster than previous epidemics

By Clement Bonnerot and Jessica Donati DAKAR, Aug 5 (Reuters) - The Ebola epidemic in Democratic Republic of Congo is on track to surpass 4,000 cases this week and has been described as the fastest spreading on record since it was officially declared in May.  
Rapid Read Rapid Read
WHO Regional Director Balkhy Takes Leave to Run for Director-General, Ensuring Fair Election Process

WHO Regional Director Balkhy Takes Leave to Run for Director-General, Ensuring Fair Election Process

Dr. Hanan Balkhy, the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Regional Director, has taken immediate leave to launch her campaign for the WHO Director-General position. This move follows new election guidelines issued by WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, aimed at addressing campaign finance and ethical concerns. Under these guidelines, internal candidates must use their accrued annual leave before transitioning to special leave on half-pay, ensuring a level playing field. Dr. Adham Ismail Abdel-Moneim has been appointed as the Officer-in-Charge of the Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office during Balkhy's leave. The guidelines require candidates to separate their WHO functions from campaign activities, maintaining the organization's independence and integrity.
Rapid Read Rapid Read
DR Congo's Ebola Outbreak Becomes Second-Deadliest in History

DR Congo's Ebola Outbreak Becomes Second-Deadliest in History

The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has become the second-deadliest in history, with 3,695 cases and 1,623 deaths reported. The outbreak, caused by the Bundibugyo strain, is intensifying, with increasing transmission rates and a high case fatality ratio. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that Ituri province is the most affected, accounting for the majority of cases and deaths. The outbreak is impacting maternal mortality rates, as women avoid medical centers due to fear of contracting Ebola. The WHO emphasizes the need for a substantial scaling up of response activities to control the outbreak.
Rapid Read Rapid Read
Health Canada Approves Moderna's mRNA Vaccine Trial Amid Congo Ebola Outbreak

Health Canada Approves Moderna's mRNA Vaccine Trial Amid Congo Ebola Outbreak

Health Canada has authorized Moderna to conduct a Phase 1 clinical trial for a vaccine targeting the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus, which is currently causing a significant outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This outbreak has resulted in over 3,800 confirmed cases and more than 1,700 deaths. The trial will take place at three sites in Canada and will involve approximately 80 participants. The vaccine uses mRNA technology, similar to that used in COVID-19 vaccines. This development comes as the outbreak continues to spread across multiple provinces in Congo, with health officials struggling to contain it due to violence and mistrust in affected areas.
AP News AP News
Ebola kills 1,700 in eastern Congo as the fastest-growing outbreak surges

Ebola kills 1,700 in eastern Congo as the fastest-growing outbreak surges

Ebola has killed over 1,700 people in eastern Congo, marking the fastest-growing outbreak of the disease
AP News AP News
More pregnant women are dying in Congo as they avoid hospitals over Ebola

More pregnant women are dying in Congo as they avoid hospitals over Ebola

Some pregnant women in eastern Congo are avoiding hospitals over fears of a rapidly growing Ebola outbreak, and more of them are dying around childbirth