Congo Ebola Outbreak Doubles Maternal Deaths as Pregnant Women Avoid Hospitals
Updated
Updated · Bloomberg · Aug 13
Congo Ebola Outbreak Doubles Maternal Deaths as Pregnant Women Avoid Hospitals
3 articles · Updated · Bloomberg · Aug 13
Summary
Maternal deaths have doubled in the epicenter of the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Ebola outbreak, sharply worsening risks for pregnant women.
Pregnant women are avoiding hospitals, while medical staff and supplies are being diverted to the Ebola response, weakening routine maternity care.
Treatable complications including preeclampsia, malaria and obstructed labor are becoming more dangerous even for women who are not infected with Ebola.
Paulina Ospina of US-based aid group Direct Relief said the outbreak’s wider disruption is leaving pregnant women vulnerable beyond the virus itself.