How effective is Africa's response to the Ebola outbreak in Congo?
Ebola Outbreak: Africa CDC Warns of Worst Case Scenario
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is facing one of its worst-ever Ebola outbreaks, with over 830 cases and 196 fatalities confirmed. The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has warned that the outbreak could be worse than the one in West Africa from 2014-2016, which killed over 11,000 people. Critical challenges include insufficient resources to trace contacts, shortages of burial teams, and a lack of personal protective equipment. The Africa CDC is seeking $518 million in funding but so far has received only a fraction of that amount. Without sufficient support, the total funding needs could surge to $1.5 billion or even $7.5 billion.
Options
- The response is effective and under control
- The response is inadequate and more resources are needed
- The outbreak will peak soon and then decline
- The worst-case scenario is likely, with a significant increase in cases and fatalities