Ebola outbreak in Congo hits record for confirmed cases in single day

The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has reached a grim milestone, with 27 new cases confirmed in a single day — a record for the current outbreak.

CNN reports that the outbreak, which is the second deadliest in history, has proven difficult to bring under control because of community mistrust and violent attacks on health care workers.

The World Health Organization said 27 new confirmed cases had been reported on Sunday — the most in a single day since the outbreak started in August last year. Similarly, 126 new cases had been reported in the week ending April 28 — the highest weekly total since Ebola took hold in the country.

“The increase in the number of new [Ebola] cases in the Democratic Republic of the Congo remains deeply concerning,” WHO said in its latest situation report.

According to the latest figures from the DRC health ministry, the total number of confirmed cases is 1,414 and 66 probable ones. In total, 970 people have died since the outbreak began, while 412 people have been cured.

WHO said that sporadic violence by armed militias, limited health care resources and difficult-to-access locations meant this “outbreak is taking place in one of the most challenging circumstances ever confronted by WHO.”

The WHO is not recommending travel restrictions and says that while there is no vaccine against Ebola, simple hygiene practices such as thorough hand washing can help prevent the spread of the disease.

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