Ebola: 30 Dead in Congo Displacement Camp

Ebola: 30 Dead in Congo Displacement Camp

At least 30 people have died since early May in Kigonze camp for displaced civilians in northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo, officials said, a death rate they described as unprecedented. 

The symptoms have raised fears of Ebola spreading undetected.

Camp President Dz'djo Ndrutsi Etienne said 10 people were buried this week alone in the Bunia camp, which houses more than 15,000 residents. 

Spokesperson Grodya disclosed the camp typically recorded one to three deaths per month.

It was not possible to confirm causes of death because patients and relatives had until Thursday refused testing of the living or dead, according to Grodya and Catholic aid organisation Caritas. 

Justin Zanamuzi, Caritas director, said his team saw several bodies covered in sheets on Wednesday, including a pregnant woman and children. 

Footage from Thursday showed health workers in hazmat suits disinfecting bodies and preparing small coffins as mourners wailed.

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"Our team tried to persuade people to accept doctors to inspect the bodies. They completely refused," Zanamuzi said.

The outbreak was first declared by Congolese officials on 15 May, though deaths began earlier. 

Grodya said health workers have now taken samples from five victims and were awaiting results. 

Cholera, which also produces Ebola-like symptoms, remains a possibility as sanitation in the camp is severely limited.

Resident Kato Lonu, 47, lost two children including a 6-month-old. 

"These are conditions that no human being should have to live in. If you look around, people are dying one after another," he said.

Many fear that Ebola may be circulating among eastern Congo’s more than 5 million displaced people, with resistance to testing compounding the challenge.


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