India, Aug. 18 -- The Ebola outbreak in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo is disrupting healthcare access and worsening economic hardship, with Action Against Hunger warning that fear of infection is keeping patients away from health facilities.
Healthcare Use Declines
Three months after the outbreak was declared, nearly 5,000 cases and 2,300 deaths have been recorded, according to Action Against Hunger. The organisation said the outbreak is registering between 50 and 100 new cases and nearly 30 deaths each day.
Health centres supported by the group have reported a sharp decline in attendance. In Mongbwalu, admissions for integrated management of childhood illnesses fell from 87% in April to 44% in June. Fear of contracting Ebola ...