Health workers in the Democratic Republic of Congo are battling an Ebola outbreak centred in the Mongbwalu health zone, Ituri province. Authorities say the virus may be the rare Bundibugyo species, for which there are no licensed vaccines or treatments. Local staff describe the situation as alarming and say many rapid intervention kits were not yet available at the health zone level.
The World Health Organization announced the outbreak on 15 May and declared it a Public Health Emergency of International Concern two days later. In an update on 22 May, WHO said suspected cases were close to 750 with 177 suspected deaths, and raised the national risk level from "high" to "very high".
WHO has shipped emergency supplies including personal protective equipment, medicines and tents, deployed experts and set up mobile laboratories. The outbreak has spread to Uganda, with two confirmed cases linked to travel and one death. Doctors call for stronger health systems, better infection control in hospitals and more support for healthcare workers.
Difficult words
- outbreak — sudden start of disease in a community
- species — group of similar living organisms
- license — official permission to make or use somethinglicensed
- rapid intervention kit — equipment set for quick medical responserapid intervention kits
- declare — formally announce or make something officialdeclared
- suspect — thought likely but not yet provedsuspected
- deploy — send people or equipment to a placedeployed
- mobile laboratory — movable building for medical tests and analysismobile laboratories
- infection control — actions to prevent spread of disease in places
- healthcare worker — people who give medical care to patientshealthcare workers
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- What problems do health workers report in the affected health zone?
- What kinds of support do doctors call for, and how could that help?
- How might mobile laboratories be useful during an outbreak like this?
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