Ebola: Why children are last to be treated in medical crises
Children under five are suffering disproportionately high mortality rates in the current Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Experts argue that the lack of pediatric-specific medication and inclusion in clinical trials is a major factor in these outcomes.
Why it matters
The report underscores a systemic failure in medical research and humanitarian response to prioritize the needs of children during health crises.
In the latest Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, children are more likely to die than adults. But it's not always due to the disease. Specific medicines for younger people are often harder to come by.
https://p.dw.com/p/5LgXj Children have been badly affected in the current Ebola epidemic, and treatment options for them remain limited Advertisement The current Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has been devastating. Since the outbreak began in mid-May, more than 3,000 people have died.
Almost half of people infected with Ebola are expected to die, and the mortality rate is particularly high for young children. According to a commentary by Doctors Without Borders recently published in medical journal The Lancet , the mortality rate for children under the age of 5 is over 60% .
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in