WHO Says Ebola Outbreak in Congo Could End in Three Months
Listen to the story
The World Health Organization (WHO) believes the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo can be brought under control within three months.
Ebola is a serious viral disease that spreads between people and often causes death. The current outbreak is already the deadliest in the country's history, according to health officials.
The outbreak began around three months ago and has grown quickly since then. Experts say it is now the second most deadly and fastest-growing Ebola epidemic ever recorded.
Congo has faced several Ebola outbreaks in the past, but this one has caused more deaths than any other in the country so far.
The WHO is working with local health teams to stop the disease from spreading further. This usually includes finding sick people quickly, treating them, and tracing anyone who had contact with them.
Health workers also try to give information to communities so people understand how the disease spreads and how to protect themselves.
Even though the outbreak is serious, the WHO says it can still be stopped if strong action continues over the next three months.
Ebola causes symptoms such as high fever, weakness, and bleeding. Without quick treatment, many patients do not survive.
International health authorities often send extra doctors, medicine, and equipment to help control outbreaks like this one.
The situation in Congo remains difficult, and health teams are working hard to reduce the number of new cases each week.
Vocabulary10 words
- World Health Organization (WHO)
- a big international group that works on health problems
- outbreak
- when a disease suddenly spreads among many people
- viral
- caused by a very small germ called a virus
- epidemic
- a disease that spreads quickly to many people in one area
- health authorities
- official groups in charge of health decisions
- trace
- to find people who were near a sick person
- symptom
- a sign that shows someone is sick
- treatment
- medical care given to make someone better
- community
- a group of people living in the same area
- control
- to manage or stop something from getting worse
Quiz
Answer key
1. It can be controlled within three months 2. — 3. They find, treat, and trace contacts of sick people
Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
The World Health Organization (WHO) believes the Ebola _____ in the Democratic Republic of the Congo can be brought under control within three months.
Ebola is a serious _____ disease that spreads between people and often causes death.
The current outbreak is already the _____ in the country's history, according to health officials.
Experts say it is now the second most deadly and fastest-growing Ebola _____ ever recorded.
The WHO is working with local health teams to stop the disease from _____ further.
This usually includes finding sick people quickly, treating them, and _____ anyone who had contact with them.
Ebola causes _____ such as high fever, weakness, and bleeding.
International health _____ often send extra doctors, medicine, and equipment to help control outbreaks like this one.
Discussion questions
- Why do you think it is important for the WHO to act quickly during an Ebola outbreak?
- What challenges might health workers face when trying to trace people who had contact with sick patients?
- How can communities help stop the spread of a disease like Ebola?
- Do you think international help is necessary during outbreaks like this? Why or why not?