Congo Ebola Survivors Warn 550-Case Outbreak Could Worsen Without Vaccine

3 articles · Updated · The Associated Press · Jun 9

550 confirmed cases and 101 deaths in Congo’s current Bundibugyo-virus outbreak have revived fears in Beni, where survivors of the 2018-2020 epidemic are urging authorities not to repeat earlier mistakes.
Survivors said disbelief, conspiracy theories and stigma helped the last outbreak spread, with many residents initially dismissing Ebola as witchcraft or a political plot and resisting treatment.
Doctors and aid workers say mistrust also fueled attacks on health workers and delayed care, arguing that youth leaders and communities must be involved early rather than after cases surge.
More than 3,400 cases and over 2,200 deaths were recorded in the 2018-2020 outbreak, which was eventually contained with vaccines; this time, residents fear the lack of an approved vaccine could complicate the response.