In the ongoing battle against Ebola in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), women are disproportionately affected, playing a pivotal role in the disease’s transmission. Historically, women have accounted for two-thirds of Ebola cases, a trend that has persisted for the past 50 years, as highlighted by UN Women.
The 2018-2019 outbreak in the DRC was no exception, with women and girls making up the majority of reported cases. Dr. Furaha Elisabeth, director of the Karibuni Wa Maman Gynecology and Obstetrics Clinic in Bunia, explains the role women play in the disease’s spread: “It’s the woman who comes to help the sick person, who bathes them, feeds them, and washes their clothes. “.
This puts women at the forefront of the epidemic, not only in the community but also in hospitals and care facilities, where personal protective equipment is often scarce.
The risks are not only to the women themselves but also to their families. Dr. Elisabeth emphasizes, “If a woman is exposed and becomes infected, she will naturally pass the infection on to those around her, starting with her children. “.
The confirmed cases in the DRC have now reached 282, with the majority in Ituri province, followed by 15 in North Kivu and 3 in South Kivu. Uganda has also reported nine cases, with five patients recovering.
The World Health Organization (WHO) is confident that the outbreak can be stopped, as evidenced by the opening of a new treatment center in Bunia.
The WHO chief, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, highlighted the urgency of the situation, emphasizing the need for a coordinated response from the international community.
*Additional reporting by ImNews | Sources consulted: 5*
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This original article was produced by the ImNews editorial team
Source: Africanews
Source: Rédaction Africanews
