Why the Ebola Outbreak Has Been Nearly Impossible to Stop
Summary
Declan Walsh reports from the Democratic Republic of Congo on the alarming Ebola outbreak, highlighting the severe lack of equipment, training, and testing for the rare Bundibuggio strain. He describes shocking scenes in under-resourced hospitals and explains how community denial, conspiracy theories, and violent resistance to aid efforts severely impede containment. The episode delves into the impact of foreign aid cuts and concludes with both the grim potential and a rare story of patient recovery, emphasizing the critical need for education and trust.Episode description
At the front lines of the Ebola crisis in Central Africa, badly equipped health workers with little outside support are losing the fight against one of the worst outbreaks in history.
Declan Walsh, a New York Times correspondent covering the outbreak, takes us to the epicenter of the virus and explains why, so far, its spread has been so difficult to stop.
Guest: Declan Walsh, the chief Africa correspondent for The New York Times.
Background reading:
- Inside the Ebola epicenter, the virus rages with little to stop it.
- Here’s what to know about the Ebola outbreak.
Photo: Arlette Bashizi for The New York Times
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