BUNIA — Clarissa Ward reported from Bunia, the capital of Ituri Province in the Democratic Republic of Congo, on an ongoing Ebola outbreak. Health data indicates 62 deaths and 363 confirmed Ebola cases from the outbreak.
Ward traveled to a containment zone at Bunia General Hospital, where medical personnel worked to contain the Ebola virus. She described the safety protocols, stating, "From the moment you land here, you are asked to wash and sanitize your hands at every place you visit."
Ward also traveled to Mongbwalu, a remote gold-mining town in eastern Congo, which health authorities believe is where the current Ebola outbreak originated.
Funeral traditions in the region involve touching and washing the body of the deceased, making containment more difficult.
Ward reported that public health information is broadcast via radio to reach the population. She explained the necessity of this method, stating, "Many people, particularly in rural areas, don't have TVs or smartphones, and the literacy rate is low, so radio is a crucial means of communicating with the population."
No independent assessment of Clarissa Ward’s claims was available.