Ebola Outbreak in Congo Is the Country's Deadliest Ever
Listen to the story
The Democratic Republic of Congo is facing its deadliest Ebola outbreak in history.
Ebola is a dangerous virus that causes a severe disease and can quickly lead to death.
The current outbreak began about three months ago and has spread very quickly since then.
Experts say it is now the second deadliest Ebola outbreak ever recorded, and also one of the fastest-growing.
Health authorities in Congo are working to control the spread of the disease and treat infected people.
Ebola outbreaks are especially dangerous because the virus can spread through contact with body fluids of sick or dead patients.
Doctors and health workers use special protective equipment to avoid getting infected while treating patients.
The government is trying to identify new cases quickly and isolate people who may be infected.
This helps to stop the virus from spreading to more communities.
Public health teams are also working to inform local people about how the disease spreads and how to stay safe.
The situation remains serious, and health experts are closely watching how the outbreak develops in the coming weeks.
Vocabulary10 words
- outbreak
- a sudden start and spread of a disease
- Ebola
- a very dangerous disease that can cause fast death
- virus
- a tiny living thing that causes disease
- protective equipment
- special clothes worn to stay safe from disease
- infected
- having a disease inside the body
- isolate
- to keep someone away from others
- authorities
- the people in charge, like government leaders
- recorded
- written down or noted officially
- communities
- groups of people living in the same area
- severe
- very serious or bad
Quiz
Answer key
1. The deadliest Ebola outbreak in the country's history 2. It is the second deadliest ever recorded 3. Isolating infected people and using protective equipment
Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
The Democratic Republic of Congo is facing its deadliest Ebola _____ in history.
Ebola is a dangerous _____ that causes a severe disease and can quickly lead to death.
The current outbreak began about three months ago and has spread very _____ since then.
Experts say it is now the second deadliest Ebola outbreak ever _____, and also one of the fastest-growing.
Health _____ in Congo are working to control the spread of the disease and treat infected people.
Ebola outbreaks are especially dangerous because the virus can spread through contact with body fluids of sick or dead _____.
Doctors and health workers use special protective _____ to avoid getting infected while treating patients.
The government is trying to identify new cases quickly and _____ people who may be infected.
This helps to stop the virus from spreading to more _____.
Discussion questions
- Why do you think Ebola outbreaks can spread so quickly in some countries?
- What can governments do to help stop the spread of dangerous diseases like Ebola?
- How important is it for people to have accurate information during a disease outbreak?
- Do you think international help is needed when a country faces a deadly outbreak like this? Why or why not?