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.

Healthcare workers in eastern Congo say they are underprotected and undertrained amid a rapidly spreading outbreak of a rare Ebola virus. Families weep as burials of loved ones continue. The virus known as Bundibugyo had spread undetected for weeks and will take months to control. So far, 51 cases have been confirmed in Congo, with two in Uganda. The World Health Organization says the outbreak poses a low global risk but local case numbers will increase. The arrival of any potential vaccine is months away. The region faces immense pressure from conflict and a collapsing health system, stretching limited resources even further.

The World Health Organization director-general has expressed concern over the rapid spread of a rare type of Ebola in eastern Congo. Authorities have reported at least 134 suspected deaths and over 500 cases. The Bundibugyo virus has no approved treatments or vaccines. The outbreak has been declared a public health emergency requiring international response. The virus has spread to urban areas, raising fears of further spread and deaths. A WHO official on the ground says any vaccine approved for use would still take about two months to become available. The region was already facing a humanitarian crisis, complicating outbreak response efforts.

At least 80 people have died in Congo’s new Ebola disease outbreak in the eastern Ituri province. Authorities also say health workers are racing to intensify screening and contact tracing to contain the disease. Meanwhile, The Associated Press in Ituri's capital, Bunia, interviewed locals who recounted their fears and constant burials for the dead. Officials first confirmed the outbreak on Friday, reporting 65 deaths and 246 suspected cases. Congo's health minister says the suspected index case is a nurse who died at a hospital in Bunia. He said the case dates back three weeks to April 24. Uganda on Friday also confirmed an Ebola case that authorities said was “imported” from Congo.