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The spread of the Ebola epidemic in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) appears to be accelerating with more than 2,000 registered cases, two-thirds of which are fatal, according to government figures and data. World Health Organization (WHO).
The number of confirmed cases has reached the milestone three times faster than it required 1,000, experts said Tuesday.
Eastern DRC is currently at the heart of the second most serious epidemic of this disease in its history. Rebel attacks have complicated the efforts of health workers to contain it.
In Beni, 16 people have been killed in clashes with suspected rebels of the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), including 13 civilians, an official said on Tuesday.
Militia attacks have hindered treatment and complicated the UN response to the crisis. Local distrust of health workers has also accelerated the spread of the Ebola virus.
& # 39; Can not vaccinate & # 39;
"Without access to communities, we can not vaccinate people at risk," Tedros Adhanom of WHO wrote on Twitter.
"But we are determined to end this epidemic," he added.
We have now passed 2000 #Ebola case in #DRC. Insecurity continues to hinder the response. Without access to communities, we can not vaccinate people at risk, treat infected people or seek contacts. But we are determined to end this epidemic. pic.twitter.com/MpHqYXLvaE
– Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) June 4, 2019
The epidemic reached 1,000 cases in March, more than seven months after its detection last August.
According to the DRC Ministry of Health, it took less than three months to reach 2,000 people. More than 1,300 people died.
Stakeholders face two obstacles: the resistance of communities who believe that the Ebola virus is a conspiracy constituted by humanitarian agencies and the government, and armed groups seeking to fuel instability for their own benefit.
"The current response to fight the Ebola virus is not working," Reuters told Corinne 's Daw, Country Director of Oxfam in Congo.
"No matter how effective the treatment, if people do not believe it and do not understand it, they will not use it."
The figure of 2,000 is "a sad and frustrating step … insecurity holds us back," said WHO spokesman Tarik Jasarevic.
A crowd killed an Ebola health worker and looted a clinic in the village of Vusahiro earlier this month.
According to WHO figures of 3 May, between the beginning of January and the beginning of May, there were 42 attacks on health facilities, involving 85 workers injured or killed.
"Whenever there is an incident … we are not able to provide services and go to the communities.We can not vaccinate or care for those who are sick, we do not are not able to follow those who may have been exposed to the virus, "said Jasarevic.
Monday attack
Fighting of the ADFs in Beni took place on Monday night, acting mayor Bakwanamaha Modeste told the DPA news agency.
"We regret the deaths of 13 civilians and two soldiers," he said, adding that a rebel had also been killed.
The incident comes days after the Congolese army reported killing 26 ADF members in the same region.
The ADF is one of many active rebel groups in eastern Congo, fighting mainly for the rich mineral resources of the region.
The rebel group frequently launches attacks on civilians but has also recently been responsible for attacks against United Nations peacekeepers.
SOURCE:
Al Jazeera and news agencies
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