DRC health minister warns 'very high' Ebola lethality rate as toll hits 80
The health minister of the Democratic Republic of Congo warned that the lethality rate of an Ebola outbreak in the country's east is exceptionally high. The official death toll has reached 80, and local authorities flag a shortage of treatment-centre capacity.
The health minister of the Democratic Republic of Congo told Al Jazeera that the lethality rate of an Ebola outbreak in the eastern Kasai region is running above 65 percent, well above the historical average for similar episodes. Official figures put the total caseload at 246 and the death toll at 80.
The ministry said the outbreak began in a single village and spread to neighbouring health zones, with delayed diagnoses and contact during funeral rites accelerating transmission. Only three treatment centres are currently operating in the area and their capacity is filling fast.
World Health Organization teams have begun deploying the Ervebo vaccine, with around 4,000 doses made available. The Congolese government has called for the reopening of former treatment centres and for tighter screening at border crossings. Experts warn that without faster contact tracing the outbreak could reach a wider area in the coming weeks.
Read next
Israeli strikes kill 16 in southern Lebanon as UN opens international-law probe
Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon killed 16 people, according to local reports. The UN Human Rights Council said an investigation will be opened into possible international-law violations by all parties.
Trump says US will hit Iran hard again today; Tehran vows to retaliate
Seven Network owner Southern Cross Media to cut up to 300 jobs as ASX follows Wall Street down
Three Indian sailors missing after tanker Settebello hit in Gulf of Oman; Delhi summons US envoy
When will an African side win the World Cup? Morocco set the benchmark, the continent still waits
