Red Cross Loses Three Volunteers to Ebola in Congo

The Red Cross on Saturday honored three volunteers who apparently died after contracting Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), among the first known victims of the country's latest epidemic.

According to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), they became infected on 27 March while handling bodies during an unrelated humanitarian mission. The epidemic had not yet been identified at the time.

The victims are Ajiko Chandiru Viviane, Sezabo Katanabo and Alikana Udumusi Augustin. They were working at the Mongbwalu branch in Ituri province in the northeast of the country and died on 5 May, 15 May and 16 May respectively.

The World Health Organization (WHO) on Sunday declared the Bundibugyo outbreak a public health emergency of international concern. No approved vaccine or treatment exists for the strain.

The bodies of Ebola victims are highly infectious after death. Volunteers in the region are helping with safe burials and going door-to-door to counter misinformation about the disease.

(reuters, lud)