Ebola Cases Top 10,000 Across Seven Countries
The outbreak, declared in May, has killed nearly 5,000 people, including one-third of children in affected areas.
By Lucy Lefebvre ·
The number of people infected with Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo and six other nations has passed 10,000, according to the latest figures released by Congolese authorities on Tuesday.
The outbreak spans a geographic range from Nigeria to Kenya. It represents the largest spread in terms of physical distance among recorded Ebola epidemics. The death toll stands at nearly 5,000, making it the second deadliest outbreak on record.
Health officials report that the virus is spreading faster than any previous instance of the disease. The current epidemic began in May. By late October, the total count of confirmed infections crossed the four-digit mark for the first time in this cycle.
Children constitute a large portion of the fatalities. Approximately one-third of those who have died from the virus have been minors.
In a separate political development, the general election in Israel concluded without a clear victor. Voters turned out in record numbers to determine whether Benjamin Netanyahu would remain prime minister or be replaced by Gadi Eisenkot, a center-right former military chief of staff.
Initial tallies suggested Eisenkot held an advantage as polling stations closed. By the following morning, Netanyahu had taken the lead, rendering the race too close to call. Election officials expect to complete the vote count by Wednesday afternoon.
The leading candidate will have six weeks to assemble a governing coalition. Neither candidate currently holds a secure path to a majority in parliament. Eisenkot’s camp faces internal hesitation about forming an alliance with Arab-led parties, despite their strong showing in the election. This reluctance stems from mistrust and public criticism of Arab political leaders following the October 7, 2023 attacks.
Meanwhile, U.S. inflation data showed consumer prices rising 3.7% in September compared to the same month last year. This marks a larger annual increase than the previous month. Investors expect the Federal Reserve to hold interest rates steady at its upcoming meeting, maintaining a low-key approach ahead of the November midterm elections.
Source: NPR
