Kinshasa: The world's fastest-growing Ebola outbreak is currently outpacing response efforts in the Democratic Republic of Congo, as health workers strike over inadequate pay, according to the head of the World Health Organization. On Wednesday, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus visited the nation and highlighted the doubling of new cases in certain hot spots nearly three months into the outbreak. This marks his second visit to DR Congo since the outbreak was declared in mid-May.According to France24.com, DR Congo is preparing to open its largest-ever Ebola treatment facility as the number of confirmed cases has risen to 3,973, including 1,801 deaths. The outbreak is concentrated in Ituri province, where many frontline workers have gone on strike, exacerbating already limited access to healthcare due to ongoing rebel conflict in the eastern region near the borders of South Sudan, Uganda, and Rwanda.While some workers have received overdue payments for their efforts since the outbreak commenced, they are demandin g further improvements in wages. Anicet Baluku, a resident of Bunia, blamed the recent deaths of his two brothers on the ongoing strike and urged authorities to find a swift resolution to prevent further tragedies.In response to the escalating crisis, the US Department of State announced an additional $242 million in funding for immediate Ebola response and preparedness efforts, bringing the total direct assistance to over $512 million. The current outbreak has surpassed all previous Ebola outbreaks in terms of transmission speed, becoming the second-largest on record after the 2014-2016 West Africa outbreak.The Bundibugyo virus responsible for the outbreak lacks approved treatments or vaccines. Officials believe it originated in a remote area before its declaration on May 15. Doctors Without Borders emphasized that the outbreak continues to spread at an alarming rate, with the response struggling to reach communities swiftly enough to break transmission chains.Jean Kaseya, head of the Africa Centers fo r Disease and Control, noted during a visit to Bunia that contact tracing is ineffective, with 60 to 70 percent of new cases occurring outside monitored groups. Late detection has contributed to a 45 percent fatality rate, with 44 of 77 recent cases being fatal. Currently, 717 patients are in isolation, while 749 have recovered.Kaseya emphasized the need for earlier detection and stronger contact tracing in coordination with responders. WHO's Tedros called for intensified efforts to reach all affected areas, enhance coordination, and ensure the protection of health workers. He stressed the importance of community involvement in the response to gain trust and partnership in combating the outbreak.
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