The Ebola disease outbreak isn’t slowing down

Dear Friend,

With more than 3,200 people confirmed as having contracted the illness and more than 1,400 reported deaths, the current Ebola disease outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda is the fastest growing on record, and continues to spread at an alarming rate.

Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF) currently has more than 1,400 staff responding to the outbreak. Their work includes running Ebola treatment centres across multiple affected areas in the DRC provinces of Ituri, North Kivu and South Kivu.

But still, this epidemic is outpacing the combined domestic and international response efforts. Please support our dedicated Ebola fund today and ensure we can continue supporting thousands of people who urgently need our care.

In just nine weeks, this outbreak, caused by the Bundibugyo virus, has become the third largest Ebola disease outbreak ever.

Between the beginning of the outbreak and 15 July, our teams admitted more than 1,190 patients to Ebola treatment centres, including 502 people confirmed as Ebola cases.

Helping people in regional areas is a particular concern, which is why we are working to urgently scale up the international medical response outside of urban centres, closer to communities where there is currently little to no provision of care.

As well as teams of professionals, MSF has sent tens of thousands of items to strengthen the response capacity. Several tonnes of medical and logistical supplies continue to arrive in the DRC each week from MSF’s international logistics hubs.

However, access constraints are disrupting our staff rotation, diagnostics, referrals and supply chains.

On top of that, the coming rainy season will further put lives at risk by driving a surge in malaria cases, placing more strain on an already overstretched health system. Ensuring safe and continuous access to other essential healthcare services remains a priority for MSF as we continue to support the outbreak response.

With your support, there is hope. Please will you consider a donation to support our Ebola fund today? Your gift could continue to provide lifesaving care to those who urgently need it as this outbreak continues.

We will continue to provide you with updates about the Ebola disease outbreak and our response. You can also find out more information here.

Thank you for continuing to show your support for MSF’s patients around the world in the more than 70 countries where we work. Our ability to provide essential and lifesaving care wouldn't be possible without your ongoing generosity.

With gratitude,

P.S. You can donate today directly to our Ebola fund today and help us to continue delivering lifesaving care to thousands of people as this disease outbreak continues.