DR Congo Ebola outbreak still out of control after six months, MSF says

Six months into Congo's Ebola outbreak, many cases are likely being missed, transmission in hospitals ​in some areas is rife and the virus is still spreading out of control, Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) said on ‌Thursday.

More than 11,000 cases have been confirmed, but British epidemiologist Neil Ferguson estimates only half of infections are being detected. His team believes the true number could be substantially higher, raising fears the outbreak could eventually surpass the 2014–2016 West African epidemic, which killed more than 11,000 people.

MSF says shortages of medical supplies, unpaid health workers and inadequate surveillance are leaving frontline teams unable to contain the virus. 

"Many frontline responders are left trying to contain the outbreak with empty hands and empty pockets," said MSF international president Javid Abdelmoneim.

Insecurity is adding to the crisis. The World Health Organization (WHO) said an attack in North Kivu last week killed 66 civilians, including three health workers, disrupted contact tracing and left three confirmed Ebola patients unaccounted for.