The death toll from the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has reached 600, with 1,759 confirmed cases reported, according to the country's health authorities.
A total of 285 patients have recovered, while 750 patients are currently in isolation or hospitalization, with an overall bed occupancy rate of 94 percent, health authorities said in an update released late Wednesday.
Caused by the Bundibugyo Ebola virus, the outbreak, declared on May 15, is the country's 17th Ebola outbreak. It has affected 37 health zones in three provinces, namely Ituri, North Kivu and South Kivu.
Response to the outbreak continues to face multiple constraints, including community resistance to post-mortem sampling, insufficient treatment capacity, gaps in contact tracing, limited supplies, insecurity and restricted access in areas affected by armed groups.
Ebola deaths in DR Congo reach 600
Heavy rain triggered by the remnants of Typhoon Maysak has caused severe flooding in Guigang City, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, leaving over 12,000 teachers and students trapped in the Xijiang Education Park. Local authorities have launched a multi-department emergency rescue operation.
The main entrance to the education park is completely submerged. Water levels have reached depths of seven meters at the deepest point, cutting off all access to the park. Only tree canopies remain visible above the floodwater, and rescuers are using inflatable boats and rubber dinghies to enter the area. Many low-lying buildings have been flooded, and the campus has lost power and water supply.
"Delivery of supplies is also very difficult. All the students and teachers, around 12,000 in total, need to be evacuated. Those who can go home will do so first. For those who cannot, we have set up designated shelters. All collected supplies are being sent to those shelters," said Yang Bing, deputy director of the Guigang Education Bureau.
The rising water levels, vast flooded area, and complex underwater conditions have added to the difficulty of rescue operations.
"The current challenge is that there are too many students—over 12,000. We are continuously strengthening our transport capacity," on-site commander Wang Yonggang explained.
In the meantime, the schools in the park have developed their own transfer plans and registered the information of all stranded individuals.
As of Thursday, an estimated 6,000 to 7,000 students still need to be evacuated, and rescue workers are planning to complete the evacuation later in the day by using powered pontoon bridges and rescue boats.
Local authorities have set up temporary shelters in the city to accommodate evacuated students and ensure their basic needs are met.
Rescue under way to evacuate all teachers, students trapped by floods in Guangxi
