The Organization Fighting Ebola Has Never Been More Worried
Health officials are expressing deep concern over a rapidly growing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which has already claimed thousands of lives. Experts emphasize that ending the epidemic will likely require a vaccine, though distrust and regional instability are hindering containment efforts.
Why it matters
The rapid spread of the virus and the challenges in vaccine distribution underscore the critical need for global health cooperation in conflict-ridden areas.
“Other than Covid, which affected the whole world, this is the thing that has frightened me the most,” says Nicole Lurie, who has worked for Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations since 2017 and now serves as executive director for preparedness and response and the US director.
More than 7,000 people have contracted the Bundibugyo Ebola virus in the Democratic Republic of Congo since May, around half of whom have died, according to government data compiled by the World Health Organization.
“This is the most rapidly growing Ebola outbreak that we’ve seen. It’s probably on pace to be the worst the world has ever seen,” Lurie tells WIRED, “and it’s quite terrifying.”
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