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Inside Ebola Country: NPR Reports from Eastern DR Congo's Outbreak Zone

15 June 2026 03:10

The Ebola outbreak in eastern DR Congo, declared on May 15, has led to 782 confirmed cases and 181 deaths as of June 13, with Bunia as the epicenter. - Community volunteers like Eliezer Kasongo face resistance and fear while raising awareness.

- Contact tracing is at only 56% due to armed groups, poor roads, and dense populations. - Hospitals lack PPE, and health workers are dying, causing despair among medical staff.

The outbreak highlights the severe strain on a health system already weakened by decades of conflict and poverty.

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