This Ituri Ebola outbreak, in the remote eastern wilds of DRC… is plainly a runaway. Nearly 300 are sick now, and 15 more people have died, overnight. The total now stands at 80 deaths, but it certain to rise, in the coming days and nights.

This is from PBS | NPR reporting:

…At least 80 deaths have been reported in Congo’s new Ebola disease outbreak in the eastern Ituri province, authorities said, as health workers raced Saturday to intensify screening and contact tracing to contain the disease. Officials first announced the outbreak on Friday, with 65 deaths and 246 suspected cases.

Meanwhile, Associated Press journalists in Ituri’s capital, Bunia, interviewed locals who recounted their fears and constant burials.

“Every day, people are dying… and this has been going on for about a week. In a single day, we bury two, three, or even more people,” said Jean Marc Asimwe, a resident of Bunia. “At this point, we don’t really know what kind of disease it is,” said Asimwe….

This is what happens when the US turns its back on real preventative public health funding — thanks to Musk and Trump. I wish I had more upbeat, happier news today — but I. Do. Not.

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