The Democratic Republic of Congo has faced more Ebola outbreaks than any other country. Since its discovery in the 1970s, named after a river in the north, the virus has struck 17 times. Currently, the nation grapples with one of its deadliest outbreaks, primarily due to late detection.
Declan Walsh, the chief Africa correspondent, is on the ground in Congo. He observed the challenges faced by health workers in under-resourced Ebola wards. Despite facing multiple patient loads, these workers receive minimal external support.
Health workers disinfected the body of a man presumed to have died of Ebola. This occurred in Mongbwalu, situated in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Such scenes are not uncommon amid the current outbreak.
Declan Walsh is currently in Bunia, the capital of Ituri Province. He traveled to Mongbwalu, believed to be the outbreak’s starting point. His journey provided insights into the outbreak’s progression. Along the roads, checkpoints and soldiers are common due to the region’s ethnic violence history. The area’s gold-mining industry attracts thousands of migrants, creating a perfect environment for the virus to spread.
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