The DRC’s top virologist says the response has been quick, but it started late because of delays in reporting suspected cases.
- Ed Yong
- The Atlantic
The Democratic Republic of Congo is currently fighting its ninth Ebola outbreak—and Jean-Jacques Muyembe Tamfum is as calm as ever.
Warm, round-faced, and preternaturally chill, Muyembe was the first scientist to encounter Ebola during the first-ever outbreak in 1976, and he has been involved in studying and fighting the disease ever since.
“We have a long-standing experience,” he told me on Friday. “I think we will need three months to control [this new] outbreak. Maybe four.”
There are currently 32 suspected cases, dating back to April 4; of those cases, 18 have died.
This suspected-case count has risen by 11 since the…