‘Breakneck’ Ebola Epidemic in Congo Outpaces World’s Response

CONGO – The head of the World Health Organization traveled to the Democratic Republic of Congo, where the third-largest Ebola outbreak on record is outpacing the world’s response.

Health authorities in Congo and neighboring countries are scrambling to contain the rare Bundibugyo strain, for which there is no vaccine or treatment.

Officials say the response is weeks, if not months, behind the curve.

Already facing a shortage of supplies, doctors there are also tackling attacks on their facilities. There have been 1,077 suspected cases, of which 121 have been confirmed, according to the latest WHO figures, which also showed 246 suspected deaths from Ebola and 17 confirmed fatalities.