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Number of Ebola Orphans Spikes as Epidemic Spreads in Eastern DRC

Lisa Schlein

   GENEVA - The U.N. children's fund reports the number of children
   orphaned by Ebola or separated from their parents because of the
   disease in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo has more than doubled
   since April.

   Since the epidemic was declared more than one year ago, aid agencies
   have registered 1,380 children who have lost one or both parents to
   Ebola. During the same period, nearly 2,470 children have been
   separated from parents undergoing treatment for the disease or isolated
   because they have come in contact with an infected person.

   World Health Organization figures put the number of Ebola cases at
   2,831, including nearly 1,900 deaths. UNICEF spokeswoman Marixie
   Mercado says more children are getting sick and dying in this epidemic
   than in previous ones.

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