Authorities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo have reported that suspected Ebola cases have now exceeded 900 in the eastern part of the country. The World Health Organization has described the outbreak as posing a 'very high' risk to public health.
Burials and Mourning
Red Cross workers have been conducting burials of Ebola victims at the Rwampara Cemetery, as shown in a photograph by Moses Sawasawa of the Associated Press. The scenes are marked by tears and grief as families mourn their loved ones.
In Rwampara, a woman was seen crying as Red Cross workers carried a coffin from a health centre. The workers also disinfected themselves after transporting the bodies of those who died from the virus.
Health Centre Preparations
Health workers have been preparing an Ebola treatment centre at the general hospital in Bunia. A woman mourned her child who died of Ebola in the same city. Awareness posters have been placed on streets to educate the public about the disease.
At the hospital in Bunia, a woman waited with her younger brother, who was showing symptoms of Ebola. Medical staff carried an Ebola patient to a treatment centre in Rwampara.
Community Response
Djakisa Christian, a funeral home manager, was seen dusting coffins for sale at his shop in Bunia. A sanitation worker from the Bunia city government sprayed chlorine to disinfect the central market. Francois Kasereka, a member of the Congo Scouts movement, spoke to people during a public sensitisation campaign amid the outbreak.
Family members of a person who died from the Ebola virus mourned during the funeral at Rwampara cemetery. Red Cross workers buried an Ebola victim at the same cemetery. A woman mourned a victim as the coffin was taken away for burial at Sofepadi hospital in Bunia. Red Cross workers prepared the body of an Ebola victim at Sofepadi hospital and prepared a coffin for burial at Rwampara cemetery.
Volunteer Efforts
Vanny Birungi, a Red Cross volunteer, spoke to people during a public sensitisation campaign. Catholic sisters participated in distributing Holy Communion during Sunday mass at Mudzi-Maria's Cathedral of Our Lady of Grace in Bunia.
The outbreak continues to spread, with health authorities and international organizations working to contain the virus and provide care for the affected population.
