Life or death situation | Arkansas Democrat Gazette

A life-or-death Ebola outbreak in Congo's Ituri province continues to claim lives as communities seek spiritual remedies rather than hospital care. The outbreak, caused by the Bundibugyo ebolavirus, was confirmed on May 15 and has since killed at least 204 people as of June 19. Bunia, the epicenter in Ituri, sits amid armed conflict and displacement that disrupts access to medical services. Distrust of health workers is widespread, with many patients turning to traditional healers or religious leaders before presenting for care. Ebola spreads through close contact with bodily fluids of the sick or deceased, and there is no approved medicine or vaccine for this strain.