Ebola Surges in Congo, Death Toll Tops 2,500

The Ebola epidemic in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has already claimed more than 2,500 lives and is spreading at an exponential rate, according to the United Nations. Julien Harneis, a senior UN coordinator leading the Ebola response, said as much on Friday, according to CNBC.

According to Harneis, the outbreak has spread across an area larger than France, significantly complicating efforts by health workers to bring the situation under control.

Funding is another serious problem. According to Harneis, current humanitarian aid funds will last only a few more weeks and could run out just as the epidemic gains momentum, unless additional funding arrives.

The UN coordinator also drew attention to attacks against healthcare workers operating in the affected areas. He described the series of incidents as unacceptable.

(mja)