Congo's Ebola Crisis: A Perfect Storm of Fear, Stigma, and Neglect The latest Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has all the hallmarks of a catastrophic humanitarian disaster.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared it a public health emergency of international concern, but what's striking is not just the rapid spread of the virus, but also the sense of despair and hopelessness that pervades affected communities.
Fear and stigma are major barriers to treatment in Congo. People are reluctant to seek medical help for fear of being identified as an Ebola victim or infecting others.