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Can Ebola Spread Beyond the Congo? November 2, 2026 · 2:51 · With Emma
More than 5,000 people have died in the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s Ebola outbreak, and more than 10,300 cases have been confirmed.
Transcript Emma Welcome to Slow English FM. I’m Emma, and this chronicle looks at what the latest Ebola outbreak means for communities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and beyond. Emma More than 5,000 people have died in the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s Ebola outbreak, and more than 10,300 cases have been confirmed. Eight of the country’s 26 provinces are affected. Cases have also been confirmed in Kenya, Nigeria and Uganda. Uganda recorded two deaths and 20 cases early in the outbreak, with no cases reported since August. The BBC reports nine confirmed cases and two deaths in Kenya. The BBC reports two suspected cases in Nigeria were isolated for testing on Saturday; an earlier case was confirmed in October. The outbreak began in May and became the Congo’s deadliest on record in August. The current case fatality rate is 48.6 percent. Emma The reported case fatality rate is 48.6%. The outbreak’s center is Ituri province in the country’s northeast, where conflict makes it harder to reach affected areas. The World Health Organization’s Africa office says stronger control measures, better access and work with local communities are needed to end the outbreak. That work faces another obstacle: attacks on health workers and others responding to Ebola have been reported. The virus spreads through contact with infected body fluids, such as blood or vomit. The BBC reports no vaccine or treatment is yet available for this strain, and vaccine trials are under way. Emma The Congo’s previous deadliest outbreak killed 2,299 people between 2018 and 2020. The West African outbreak from 2014 to 2016 killed more than 11,325 people and reached several countries, including Italy, the United Kingdom and the United States. The World Health Organization’s Africa office says more control measures, better access to affected areas and work with local communities are needed to end the outbreak. Emma Thank you for listening to Slow English FM. Stay with us for news and stories in clear English to understand the world and improve your English.
