Ebola outbreak linked to Mongbwalu funeral

An Ebola epidemic is raging in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, with investigators tracing its origins to the funeral of Pastor Denis Paluku in Democratic Republic of the Congo — Mongbwalu on February 4. The pastor, who died of suspected peritonitis, was never tested for Ebola, but his funeral is believed to be a super-spreader event. The journey of his cracked coffin and subsequent transfer of his body by residents who touched the remains are being examined. Within weeks of the funeral, dozens of deaths with Ebola-like symptoms were recorded in Democratic Republic of the Congo — Mongbwalu. The outbreak, caused by the Bundibugyo strain, has led to at least 635 confirmed infections and 127 deaths. The situation is compounded by rumors of curses and hostility towards health workers, leading to attacks on response teams and medical facilities in Democratic Republic of the Congo — Mongbwalu and Mabilindey. The World Health Organization is investigating the outbreak, while Denis Paluku's father, Pascal Kibali, faces unjust accusations from locals.