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Parents and teachers in Congo urge delay of school resumption as Ebola outbreak rages on
Parents and teachers say the outbreak’s 5,713 cases and 2,744 deaths make reopening schools too risky for children.
Parents and teachers in Ituri are urging authorities to delay the Sept 1 school reopening, citing risks from the rapidly spreading Ebola outbreak. The local teachers union met Tuesday in Bunia to request a formal assessment before classes resume.
The Ebola outbreak in Ituri is the fastest-growing in history, with 5,713 confirmed cases and 2,744 deaths, according to Congolese health authorities. It has spread from three health zones to nearly 60, outpacing containment efforts.
Children aged 4 and below face a 60% case-fatality rate, the highest of any age group. "We want to resume classes, but not at the cost of our lives," Fazila Rebecca, a teacher in Bunia, told The Associated Press.
Budju Lobo Isaac, a teachers union representative, stated they are not opposed to classes but prioritize safety. While authorities have installed sanitary equipment at some locations, advocacy groups argue more must be done to build community trust.
The World Health Organization warns the crisis remains out of control, risking a death toll exceeding the 11,000 fatalities from the West Africa Ebola outbreak. Greg Ramm, director for Save the Children in Congo, noted that community acceptance remains critical to containment.
Parents and teachers at the epicenter of the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo are urging the authorities to delay the reopening of schools, as infections continue to exceed efforts to contain the disease.