Rumors, conflict challenge Ebola response in eastern Congo
By JAMEY KEATEN, ASSOCIATED PRESS GENEVA — Sep 19, 2018, 10:50 AM ET
Extracts below. Full text here: https://abcnews.go.com/Health/wireStory/rumors-conflict-challenge-ebola-response-eastern-congo-57932804
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The latest Ebola outbreak in Congo presents complex challenges as the virus spreads for the first time in an area where long-running conflict is hampering aid efforts, the regional Africa chief for the International Federation of the Red Cross said Wednesday…
“Transmission is continuing, but it’s a slow transmission,” Nafo-Traore said. “It’s a complex operation because of the insecurity in the region, because of the difficult access, and also because of the behavior of the population in the affected areas.”
As often when Ebola enters a new area, alarm and suspicion of outsiders have presented challenges.
Rumor confounds aid workers’ efforts. The Red Cross has noted several: It’s a plot to influence voters before Congo’s December elections; health workers can’t be trusted; the disease doesn’t exist; aid groups are out to make money or dupe people.
“Some are thinking that the Ebola response is a scam,” Nafo-Traore said.
“There are many types of rumors and we need to know about this to reorganize ourselves to convince them (that they are) fake news,” she added.
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Best wishes, Neil
Coordinator, HIFA Project on Information for Citizens, Parents and Children:
http://www.hifa.org/projects/citizens-parents-and-children