WHO warns nearly 500 confirmed Ebola cases in Central Africa outbreak
According to the South China Morning Post, the World Health Organization said confirmed Ebola cases in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda outbreak are approaching 500, with the death toll above 180. Regional rapid-response teams have warned of inadequate funding.
According to the WHO assessment cited by the South China Morning Post, confirmed Ebola cases in the Central Africa outbreak have reached 487, with the death toll at 183. A significant share of the cases are in the Democratic Republic of Congo's North Kivu province, with others identified in western Ugandan border districts.
WHO Emergency Response Director Mike Ryan said safe-burial teams, contact-tracing officers and mobile vaccination clinics are operating, but a funding gap of about 500 million dollars remains. The Africa Centres for Disease Control said neighbouring countries have strengthened border checks but have not imposed trade restrictions.
Donor countries including the United States, the European Union and Japan are preparing to announce additional resource commitments this week. Health workers stress that the trio of 'speed, money and trust' must be delivered simultaneously to contain the spread of the virus. This is not medical advice.
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