Medical teams in the Democratic Republic of the Congo are currently tackling a massive surge in Ebola infections. Government figures report over 3,200 cases and at least 1,405 deaths. Cases jumped by a thousand in ten days flat, proving once again that microscopic threats do not care about bureaucratic red tape.
The outbreak began back in May and stems from the Bundibugyo strain. Unlike the more common strains, this particular strain boasts zero approved vaccines or treatments. Most cases cluster in the northeastern Ituri province, but the virus now touches five separate provinces.
Healthcare Challenges in Containing the Ebola Virus
Fighting a deadly bug proves tricky when healthcare workers do not even receive their wages. Frontline staff in several hospitals recently went on strike to demand unpaid checks, temporarily halting crucial medical care.
Logistics also create massive headaches for aid workers. The UN Humanitarian Air Service must constantly fly medical staff and test samples across rough terrain to keep track of the spread.
Scientists at Oxford University just started testing an experimental vaccine on human volunteers, while other research teams fast track trial treatments. Until those medical trials produce real results, health teams must rely on basic isolation rules and raw grit to slow down this relentless outbreak.
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Related Topics: Africa
