The Ebola epidemic is spreading rapidly in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. According to UN data, as of August 12, more than 4,660 cases and 2,184 deaths had been recorded. One person dies from the disease every 30 minutes.
UN representative Tom Fletcher noted that over 2,000 people have died from Ebola so far, and many others remain at risk.
Additional specialists have been deployed to the region, and nearly $300 million in funding has been allocated to combat the epidemic. Measures are being stepped up regarding treatment centers, the monitoring of contacts, and the organization of safe burials.
Ebola has been reported in six provinces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The UN has called on the international community to provide more active support in the fight against the epidemic.
