Ebola epidemic deaths exceed 300 in DR Congo

KINSHASA, June 27 (Arab News): The Ebola epidemic has claimed more than 300 lives in the Democratic Republic of Congo, a little over one month after it was declared, health authorities said on Friday.

The deadly viral disease, which spreads through direct contact with bodily fluids, can cause severe bleeding and organ failure.

A total of 304 people in the DRC have now died of the virus, from 1,115 confirmed infections since the outbreak was detected on May 15, giving a mortality rate of 26.3 per cent, the National Public Health Institute said.

This is a jump from the 202 deaths confirmed on June 18 by the African Union's health agency, from 875 confirmed infections, a mortality rate of 23 per cent.

BACKGROUND

The Red Cross warned last week that the outbreak of the hemorrhagic fever has yet to peak and could take up to a year to contain.

The Red Cross warned last week that the outbreak of the hemorrhagic fever has yet to peak and could take up to a year to contain.