DR Congo Ebola outbreak hits record 8,000 cases

The Democratic Republic of Congo’s Bundibugyo-strain Ebola outbreak has reached 8,067 confirmed cases and 3,901 deaths, making it the largest and deadliest in the country’s history and the second-largest recorded outbreak globally. The World Health Organization says the outbreak remains uncontrolled, with cases rising in some areas and children under 5 facing particularly high risk. The response is being hampered by insecurity, displacement, health-worker shortages and strikes over delayed pay; 50 health workers have died, and deaths in communities point to continuing barriers to early diagnosis and care. Although $2.9 billion has been mobilized for the response, Africa CDC’s director has stressed that funding must translate into services for affected communities.