Associated Press: As Ebola outbreak marks 6 months, health centers a concern
“The deadly Ebola outbreak in eastern Congo marked six months on Friday with officials noting a worrying number of confirmed cases linked to health centers. Such infections are seen as a major problem that highlights poor practices and the risk of spread among patients and workers. Combined with community resistance in an unstable, densely populated region that has never faced Ebola before, the task of containing the outbreak remains challenging…” (Petesch, 2/1).

CIDRAP News: Guarded optimism as DRC Ebola outbreak hits 6-month mark
“…Speaking at a media briefing in Geneva, Matshidiso Moeti, MD, the WHO’s regional director for Africa, praised the WHO staff on the ground and the leadership of the DRC’s health ministry. ‘We can clearly see the strategies that have been successful in controlling the outbreak in some of the affected areas, such as Mangina, Beni, Komanda, and Oicha, though we continue to face flareups in some of these areas and outbreaks in others’…” (Schnirring, 2/1).

U.N. News: Six months into DR Congo’s deadliest Ebola outbreak, top U.N. official praises ‘brave’ response effort
“…Insecurity remains one of the biggest obstacles stopping health workers from reaching those at risk in the vast country, in an area where more than 100 armed groups operate. … An additional obstacle to health workers is suspicion among communities. Despite the challenges, major advances are being made in tackling DRC’s worst Ebola outbreak, helped by a new therapy now being tested on patients with their consent…” (2/1).

Additional coverage of the DRC Ebola outbreak and response is available from Al Jazeera, Becker’s Hospital Review, Healio, and Washington Post.