The Ebola outbreak in DRC reached a grim record last week, with the death toll surpassing any of the nation's previous outbreaks.
"In my prayers, I often remember the Democratic Republic of the Congo, especially in light of the spread of the Ebola epidemic, which is sadly claiming many lives. I encourage on the part of the international community a response that also involves local communities in efforts of prevention, so that many human lives may be saved."
This was an appeal made by Pope Leo this August 23, after praying the midday Angelus.
As was reported last week, the epidemic has now become the deadliest in the nation's history.
A total of 2,325 people have been killed by the virus since it was declared on 15 May, surpassing the death toll of the country's 2018-2020 outbreak.... the pace of the virus's transmission in DR Congo, where it has spread to six of 26 provinces, has been described as "exceptional" by the World Health Organization. (From the BBC)
The UN reported on Friday that the fatality rate is 47.6%, noting, "Another key obstacle to the response is the lack of basic social services in the six eastern, provinces where the virus is spreading (Ituri, North Kivu, South Kivu, Haut-Uélé, Tshopo, and Bas-Uélé), a direct result of decades of violence in the resource-rich area."
This year's epidemic is caused by the very rare Bundibugyo species of ebola. The UN is sending 20,000 doses of the Ervebo vaccine, a different strain, with hopes based on early testing that it will provide some protection against the Bundibugyo virus.
