Congo Logs 782 Ebola Cases as Data Gaps and Violence Obscure True Toll
Updated
Updated · Reuters · Jun 15
Congo Logs 782 Ebola Cases as Data Gaps and Violence Obscure True Toll
3 articles · Updated · Reuters · Jun 15
Summary
One month after confirmation, Congo has reported 782 Ebola cases and 181 deaths across three eastern provinces, but responders say the outbreak is already larger than official figures show.
Testing shortages, delayed lab results and conflicting data from laboratories, hospitals and surveillance teams are distorting counts, while some community deaths never reach health authorities.
Mongbwalu saw security forces fire warning shots and tear gas at a funeral on Sunday, and the WHO says attacks on burial teams and at least four patient escapes through early June are disrupting containment.
Only 14 treatment facilities serve nine health zones even though the outbreak has spread to 31 of at least 90 zones, leaving places like Nizi without isolation capacity and narrowing the window to contain Congo's third-deadliest Ebola outbreak.