The Ebola epidemic in Congo is the second most important in history

According to the World Health Organization, the deadly epidemic of Ebola in Congo is the second most important, behind the devastating epidemic of West Africa that has killed thousands of people a few years ago.

Dr Peter Salama, who is in charge of emergencies at the WHO, called Thursday a "heavy toll," saying that the Congolese Ministry of Health had announced that the number of cases had reached 426.

This includes 379 confirmed and 47 probable cases.

The attacks of rebel groups and the open hostility of some suspicious residents have posed serious problems that Ebola workers say have never faced before.

Many people who venture into critical virus containment activities only work with the accompaniment of UN peacekeepers, while gunshots sound daily.

Salama predicted this month that the epidemic in northeastern Congo will last at least another six months before it can be controlled.

– AP