Red Cross: Congo Ebola outbreak not yet at peak, may last 1 year
WHO has recorded 808 cases and 192 deaths, while Uganda has reported 19 cases and two fatalities.
The International Red Cross warned that the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has not yet reached its peak and could last as long as one year. Since the outbreak was announced on May 15, WHO has recorded 808 confirmed cases and 192 deaths. Bruno Michon of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies said from Bunia, Ituri Province, that the height of the epidemic still lies ahead. The outbreak, triggered by the Bundibugyo strain, has also spread to North Kivu and South Kivu and crossed into Uganda, which has reported 19 cases and two deaths. Officials said the response has been hampered by weak testing capacity, poor contact tracing, conflict, population displacement and the absence of an approved vaccine or therapy for this strain.