DRC Ebola deaths double in two weeks, cases exceed 2,000 as outbreak spreads
Deaths from the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo have doubled in just over two weeks, with the DRC's National Institute of Public Health reporting 754 confirmed deaths and 2,011 confirmed cases of the Bundibugyo strain. The outbreak has spread from its original epicentre in Ituri into two additional provinces, and the case-fatality rate has risen to 37% from 32% a week earlier. WHO's Chikwe Ihekweazu says the true number of infections could be two to four times higher than reported, noting that about 92% of those who died never reached a treatment centre. An American humanitarian worker contracted the virus and was evacuated by the CDC, while a second American patient was flown to Frankfurt for specialist care, prompting the U.S. to restrict official travel to the DRC. Beyond the health crisis, the UN warns that if the outbreak remains confined to the DRC and neighbouring Uganda it could shave $1 billion off the DRC's GDP, and a wider spread into Rwanda, Angola and elsewhere—combined with high global fuel prices—could cost Africa up to $3.6 billion in output and eliminate more than 328,000 jobs. For Nigerians, the outbreak raises concerns about cross-border travel, trade disruptions and the need for vigilant health screening at points of entry. Given the risk of spread, what precautions will you take if traveling to Central Africa, and how can you support containment efforts?