APTOPIX Congo Ebola

People have set fire to an Ebola treatment center in one of the towns at the heart of the outbreak in eastern Congo as fear and anger grows over a health crisis authorities and aid agencies are struggling to contain. Aid groups and experts have warned of the steep challenges in slowing the outbreak of a rare Ebola virus that spread for weeks before it was identified. It's hit a region long beset by problems of insecurity, insufficient facilities and the large displacement of people. Authorities have so far announced 148 suspected deaths and nearly 600 suspected cases, though the World Health Organization says the scale of the outbreak is much bigger.

Authorities in northeastern Congo have banned funeral wakes and gatherings of more than 50 people to curb a rapidly spreading Ebola outbreak. The World Health Organization says the outbreak poses a “very high" risk for Congo, with 82 cases and seven deaths confirmed. The outbreak is believed to be larger, with 750 suspected cases. Supplies are being rushed to Ituri Province, where nearly a million people have been displaced by conflicts. Efforts to contain the virus face challenges, including misinformation and clashes with local customs. The United Nations has released $60 million to aid the response.