DRC Ebola outbreak spreads faster than previous epidemics, Africa CDC reports
via SeneNews3 min read
The Ebola virus disease outbreak, officially declared on May 15 in the Democratic Republic of Congo DRC, is spreading more rapidly than any previous outbreak, according to Africa CDC, the African Union's health agency. As of July 7, 600 deaths out of 1,759 confirmed cases have been recorded in the DRC since the current epidemic began, the World Health Organization WHO stated. The WHO also noted that the toll remains stable in neighboring Uganda, with two deaths for 20 confirmed cases. The Ebola virus, which is transmitted through contact with bodily fluids of living or deceased individuals and causes hemorrhagic fever, has claimed over 15,000 lives in Africa in the past 50 years. The deadliest outbreak in the DRC, between 2018 and 2020, resulted in nearly 2,300 deaths among 3,500 recorded cases. Dr. Wessam Mankoula, Africa CDC Emergency Situations Manager, stated that the virus continues to outpace response efforts, spreading faster than resources can be deployed to control the situation. He noted that this is the fastest-spreading Ebola epidemic ever recorded, not just among Bundibugyo virus outbreaks, but across all types of Ebola-causing viruses. During the first six weeks of the current epidemic, 1,596 cases were recorded, compared to 994 during the first six weeks of the West African epidemic between late 2013 and 2016. That West African epidemic, the deadliest in history, caused over 11,300 deaths out of approximately 29,000 recorded cases, with over 99% occurring in Gu
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Must ReadFrance is preparing for a decisive 2026 World Cup quarter-final match against Morocco, a team that has emerged as a rising power in international football since 2022. The match will take place on July 9, 2026, at Boston Stadium in Foxborough. Didier Deschamps' French squad, undefeated so far, will need to elevate their game to reach the semi-finals. French President Emmanuel Macron praised the team's offensive and attractive play. Captain Kylian Mbappé, with seven goals in the tournament, is expected to lead France's charge. Meanwhile, Morocco's presence in the last four of the 2022 World Cup was considered a surprise, but their current run confirms their status as a formidable opponent. Morocco's coach, Mohamed Ouahbi, emphasized playing with maximum effort, stating, "The key is not to have regrets. We will have to play the match at 2000%." For France, the probable absence of Aurélien Tchouaméni due to an adductor injury is a blow, with Adrien Rabiot and Manu Koné expected to start in midfield. On the Moroccan side, Ismael Saibari, the team's top scorer with three goals, is confirmed to be out. The French Minister of Sports, Marina Ferrari, has called for "everyone's responsibility" to ensure the event remains a "celebration of sport," as authorities consider the match to be high-risk.
Must ReadFrance is scheduled to face Morocco in the quarter-finals of the 2026 World Cup. The match will take place on July 9, 2026, at 8:00 PM Dakar time at Gillette Stadium. The game will be officiated by Argentine referee Facundo Raul Tello Figueroa. Both teams are expected to play in a 4-2-3-1 formation. Didier Deschamps is the coach for France, and Mohamed Ouahbi is the coach for Morocco. Key players for France include goalkeeper Mike Maignan and forward Kylian Mbappé, while Morocco's lineup features goalkeeper Yassine Bounou and midfielder Brahim Díaz. Live updates, including the score, goals, substitutions, and cards, will be available during the match.
Must ReadAurélien Tchouaméni, a midfielder, is not in France's starting lineup for their World Cup 2026 quarter-final match against Morocco in Foxborough, near Boston, due to a thigh injury. The lineup, released by FIFA an hour before kickoff, shows Didier Deschamps also opted to start Désiré Doué on the left wing of the French attack instead of Bradley Barcola. Barcola had started the previous two knockout matches against Sweden 3-0 and Paraguay 1-0. Deschamps has otherwise maintained the same players as in the round of 16 match against Paraguay 1-0, with Manu Koné taking Tchouaméni's place alongside Adrien Rabiot in the midfield's double-pivot. Tchouaméni, who had been recovering from an adductor injury sustained the day before the Paraguay match, will be on the substitutes' bench and might enter the game later. He participated in the final training session on Wednesday after missing collective training on Monday and Tuesday. France's defense features Mike Maignan in goal, with William Saliba and Dayot Upamecano as center-backs, and Jules Koundé and Lucas Digne as full-backs. The midfield includes Manu Koné and Adrien Rabiot, supporting Michael Olise in the center, Désiré Doué on the left, and Ousmane Dembélé on the right. Captain Kylian Mbappé leads the attack. Former teammate Antoine Griezmann, now with Orlando City in MLS, is present at Gillette Stadium to support France. For Morocco, coach Mohamed Ouahbi is without Ismael Saibari, who sustained a thigh injury in the round of 16