Ebola Outbreak in Congo Worsens as Miners Spread Virus

The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo continues to worsen, with the virus spreading rapidly across the country. The World Health Organization (WHO) warned on Tuesday that population movements are driving transmission.

The country has confirmed 1,561 cases, including 506 deaths. It is the largest recorded outbreak of the rare Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, for which there is no approved treatment or fully effective cure.

WHO representative Dr. Anne Ancia said during a video briefing from the outbreak's epicenter in Bunia that the epidemic remains in its expansion phase. She warned that some specialized Ebola treatment centers are operating at around 90% capacity.

Health officials say a particular concern is the movement of miners from the town of Mongbwalu. Rather than seeking treatment locally when symptoms appear, many travel elsewhere, inadvertently spreading the virus to new areas.

"Population movements, persistent insecurity and the fragility of the health system continue to complicate efforts to bring the outbreak under control", Ancia said.

(Reuters, Max)