UN: The Ebola outbreak in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo’s Ituri province has worsened, with women and children among the worst affected, UN humanitarian agencies have warned.
Around one million people have been displaced in Ituri, with women and children accounting for nearly 80% of those affected, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).
According to UNICEF, children account for around one-fourth of confirmed Ebola cases but nearly one-third of deaths. Fear of infection has also discouraged people from seeking medical care, with health facility visits falling by more than 40% in the worst-hit areas.
Pregnant women are particularly reluctant to seek treatment. The UN Population Fund said maternal deaths in Ituri have doubled since the outbreak began, with around six women dying every week from childbirth-related complications.
More than 13,000 community workers have been deployed to spread awareness about Ebola prevention and early detection, reaching over 2.4 million people.
While no confirmed Ebola cases have been reported in neighbouring South Sudan, authorities remain concerned about cross-border transmission. More than 1.35 million travellers have been screened this month as part of preventive measures.
