Audio By Carbonatix
French aid group Médecins Sans Frontières said on Friday it had opened a new Ebola treatment centre in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Bed shortages are seen as one of many challenges in controlling the outbreak, which is the second deadliest ever and outpacing containment efforts.
- The treatment centre is in Beni, North Kivu, which has recorded 122 confirmed cases and 87 deaths since the start of the outbreak in mid-May.
- North Kivu has the highest case fatality rate of any of Congo's six affected provinces, at 68%, government data showed.
- Aid workers have said that a shortage of bed capacity is one of the factors hampering the response to the outbreak, Congo's 17th. Dr Wessam Mankoula, Africa CDC's head of emergency preparedness and response, said this month that up to 2,000 extra beds were required.
- There is no known vaccine or treatment for the Bundibugyo outbreak, meaning relief workers are more reliant on traditional methods such as contact tracing and patient isolation to try to control its spread.
- "Early diagnosis and treatment as soon as the first symptoms appear significantly increase people's chances of survival, whilst reducing the risk of transmission within families and communities," said MSF emergency coordinator Albert Stern.
- MSF has 1,400 staff in Congo supporting the response and operates treatment centres with a total of 400 beds.
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Latest Stories
-
Fuel prices set to rise again from Sept 1; petrol could hit GH¢16.21 – COPEC
1 hour -
REGSEC restricts Akwasidae celebrations in Denkyira amid security concerns
1 hour -
Eric Adjei distributes free fertiliser to farmers in Jaman North
2 hours -
Akufo-Addo urges NPP factions to unite behind Bawumia for 2028 victory
2 hours -
NDC mourns Western Regional Elections Director Papa Assan
2 hours -
Minerals Commission warns against fake job recruitment schemes
2 hours -
10 recruits dismissed for defying phone ban – Interior Minister
2 hours -
IEAG commends GoldBod, BoG for improving forex stability
2 hours -
Bawumia donates GH¢50,000 to St Jude Catholic Church at Weija
2 hours -
Mahama calls for faster mobilisation of AU Peace Fund resources
2 hours -
Improved roads bring new vehicle options to Tumu-Bolga, Tumu-Tamale, Tumu-Wa routes
3 hours -
Cedi records 7.9% depreciation against US dollar in first half of 2026
3 hours -
GIS launches operation on anti-human trafficking and exploitative street begging
3 hours -
Awutu-Senya District Assembly organises clean-up ahead of Awubia Festival
3 hours -
Vice President Opoku-Agyemang receives Democracy Cup
3 hours