Ebola outbreak will be test of world’s ability to respond

This outbreak is occurring in a part of the Congo that has long been a conflict zone, with over 1 million displaced people


The latest Ebola epidemic in the Democratic Republic of the Congo will be a test of the world’s ability to contain the disease, according to an article on the STAT website.

Like an outbreak earlier this year in the western part of the country, disease transmission is taking place in cities where hundreds of thousands of people live.

The current outbreak is occurring in  a conflict zone, with more than 1 million displaced people, armed combatant groups, and “red zones” where outsiders hoping to contain a deadly disease may not be able to travel, the article said.

“That’s really the worst-case scenario: That we can’t get in quickly enough to an alert [of possible cases] or we just have a blind spot because of security. And then an outbreak really begins to take hold in those blind spots and becomes a multicountry regional outbreak,’’ Dr. Peter Salama, the World Health Organization’s deputy director-general of emergency preparedness and response, told STAT.

Read the article.

 

 



August 21, 2018


Topic Area: Infection Control


Recent Posts

Balancing Act: Designing for Safety and Flexibility

By understanding NFPA 99 requirements, facilities can be better designed to meet current needs and anticipate future challenges.


Methodist Healthcare Breaks Ground on Methodist ER Medina Valley

Construction began in March 2026 and is projected for completion by March 2027.


Fire Protection in Healthcare: Why Active and Passive Systems Must Work as One

Sprinklers, smoke compartments and firestopping can form an interdependent safety strategy.


Building Envelope Design: Beyond Energy Efficiency

An integrated approach to envelope design can create more comfortable and energy-efficient hospitals.


Outpatient Surge Reshapes Long-Term Strategy for Medical Outpatient Buildings

Demographic tailwinds, policy uncertainty and shifting care models are pushing health systems to rethink how and where they invest in outpatient facilities.


 
 


FREE Newsletter Signup Form

News & Updates | Webcast Alerts
Building Technologies | & More!

 
 
 


All fields are required. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.