Civil society groups and health workers stepped up Ebola awareness efforts in the Democratic Republic of the Congo on Wednesday, as the outbreak’s death toll climbed past 4,400, with authorities struggling to contain the deadly disease.
Footage shows volunteers distributing hand sanitisers and ‘Stop Ebola’ awareness posters at the Heritage Health Centre in Nizi, Ituri Province.
“The situation worries us. That is why we in civil society have committed, alongside communities and churches, to raising public awareness,” said civil society representative Jean-Claude Nganjole.
He warned that some residents had begun to believe the outbreak was over, prompting renewed efforts to remind communities that the disease continued to spread.
Malosi Francoise, a resident of the Mambisa chiefdom, admitted that she too had believed the danger had passed.
“When Ebola suddenly appeared, there were awareness campaigns, but after a while, we thought the epidemic was over,” she added. “We had been living in ignorance.”
Lombu Dhesa, head of Malobo Groupement, urged health authorities to intensify their efforts to contain the outbreak and prevent further deaths.
According to figures published by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control on Wednesday, the outbreak has recorded 9,144 confirmed cases and 4,410 deaths since May.
Ituri remains the hardest-hit province, accounting for 6,734 cases and 3,177 deaths, with infections reported in 28 of its 36 health zones.
The epidemic, caused by the Bundibugyo virus, has now spread to 65 health zones across seven provinces, with authorities concerned that some infections are going undetected.
Health workers are urging residents to wash their hands regularly, avoid touching the bodies of people who have died and seek medical attention promptly if symptoms appear.
There is currently no licensed vaccine against Bundibugyo virus disease, although clinical trials are underway to assess potential vaccines and treatments.
Source: Viory
