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Ebola outbreak may be spreading faster than first thought, WHO doctor warns
People living close to the epicentre of a deadly Ebola outbreak have told the BBC of their fear, as the World Health Organization (WHO) warned cases may be spreading faster than originally thought.
One man in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s northeastern Ituri province said infected people were dying “very fast”, adding: “Ebola has tortured us.”
The virus is believed to have killed 136 people in the DR Congo, officials say, with more than 514 cases now suspected in the country. One person has died in neighbouring Uganda.
The WHO’s Dr Anne Ancia told the BBC that the more the UN agency investigates the outbreak, the clearer it becomes cases have spread to other areas.
Modelling by the London-based MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis released on Monday suggested there had been “substantial” under-detection, and that it could not rule out there had already been more than 1,000 cases.
The study suggested that the current outbreak is “larger than currently ascertained” and that its “true magnitude remains uncertain”.
A man who spoke to BBC News and identified himself as Bigboy said people are “really scared” and doing what they can to protect themselves.
He said locals are taking precautions such as washing hands with clean water, but added that he wished they could get access to other protective supplies such as face masks.
Another Ituri local, Alfred Giza, said people in the community are aware of the threat and waiting to receive face masks to protect themselves, but that he would not know what to do if a family member or friend contracted the disease.
The Red Cross warned that Ebola can escalate quickly if cases are not identified early, communities lack information and health systems are overwhelmed, adding “we are seeing all those conditions” in the current outbreak.
On Tuesday, DR Congo President Félix Tshisekedi called for “calm” and urged Congolese citizens to remain vigilant, after holding a crisis meeting on Monday evening.
WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, who declared the outbreak an international emergency last week, said he was “deeply concerned about the scale and speed of the epidemic”.
He declared the emergency late on Saturday night – before the WHO’s emergency committee met to assess the situation and recommend priority medical interventions, which it is due to do soon.
The cash-strapped organisation has already released almost $4m (£3m) to combat the outbreak – but much more may be needed.
The outbreak is taking place in a region which has suffered years of conflict, with hospitals and clinics damaged or destroyed, and millions fleeing their homes. Most are living in unsanitary conditions.
There are also more than 11,000 refugees who have fled fighting in South Sudan, and big population movements among people seeking work in local gold mines.
It is feared the outbreak may have been ongoing for several weeks before it was first detected on 24 April.
There is no vaccine for the strain of Ebola virus fuelling the latest rise in cases, but the WHO is evaluating whether other drugs may provide protection.
Speaking to BBC Newsday, Ancia said DR Congo’s Ituri province was a “very unsecured area with lots of movement of population”, making it difficult for the agency to investigate and help control the disease.
She continued: “The more we are investigating this outbreak, the more we realise that it has already disseminated at least a little bit across border and also in other provinces.”
The outbreak has spread to the province of South Kivu, where the population has been affected by a humanitarian crisis for many years, she added.
There has also been a case in eastern DR Congo’s biggest city, Goma, which has a population of around 850,000 people and is under the control of Rwandan-backed rebels.
High levels of insecurity in several provinces mean people move around often, increasing the risk and spread of the virus, she said.
Several African countries are taking precautions by tightening border screenings and preparing health facilities. Neighbouring Rwanda has also closed its borders with the DR Congo. Uganda has told people to avoid hugging and shaking hands.
An American citizen, belived to be missionary group doctor Peter Stafford, was evacuated from the DR Congo after developing symptoms over the weekend.
Germany’s health ministry told the BBC a US citizen was taken to the country for treatment.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said at least six other Americans who were exposed were also being evacuated. On Tuesday, the agency said it was in the process of moving the Americans to Germany and the Czech Republic, where they would be monitored for symptoms in quarantine.
The WHO and other agencies are working with governments and communities to try to stop the spread of the virus, urging residents to follow preventative measures and report to the nearest health facility if they experience any symptoms.
What is Ebola and how does it spread?
Ebola is caused by a virus and initially causes symptoms similar to the flu, with fever, headache and tiredness.
As the disease progresses, vomiting and diarrhoea develop and it can lead to organ failure. Some, but not all, patients develop internal and external bleeding.
The virus spreads from one person to another by contact with infected bodily fluids such as blood or vomit.
The Bundibugyo strain fuelling this rise in cases is rare, and has previously only caused two outbreaks, when it killed about a third of those infected.
Between 2014 and 2016, more than 28,600 people were infected by Ebola in West Africa, the largest outbreak of the virus since its discovery in 1976.
It was caused by the Zaire strain, for which there is an approved vaccine.
The disease spread to a number of countries in West Africa and beyond, including Guinea, Sierra Leone, the US, UK and Italy, killing 11,325 people.
[BBC]
A superb bowling performance led by Marufa Akter and the spin attack helped Bangladesh overcome Indonesia in their Asia Cup opener in Dubai.
Indonesia, on their Asia Cup debut, put up a spirited performance especially with the ball to restrict Bangladesh to 129 for 8. Sobhana Mostary , playing her 100th international match, top-scored with 40, while Shorna Akter injected late momentum with 31 off 18 balls. Indonesia in return were bowled out for 58, with left-arm spinner Nahida Akter finishing with figures of 3 for 15.
Indonesia make early inroads
Indonesia’s Ni Made Putri Suwandewi found swing almost immediately but Bangladesh’s openers handled the movement well to make a positive start, scoring four boundaries in the first two overs. But that did not last long as Suwandewi struck in her second over, having Juairiya Ferdous mistime an inswinging delivery towards cover point, where Ni Ariani came forward and held a sharp low catch to give Indonesia their first wicket in Asia Cup.
Mostary and Dilara Akter then found run-scoring increasingly difficult. Bangladesh managed only one boundary between the third over and the end of the powerplay, reaching 30 for 1.
Indonesia’s spinners maintained the pressure thereafter, conceding only a few boundaries and repeatedly forcing Bangladesh’s batters to manufacture their shots. The partnership between Mostary andDilara struggled to gather momentum and was eventually broken when Ariani had Dilara caught for 27 off 31 balls. Bangladesh reached 58 for 2 at the halfway stage.
Shorna shines, Indonesia sparkle
Bangladesh’s first six came only in the 13th over thanks to Mostary. But her attempt to accelerate was checked soon after as 16-year old legspinner Sofia Velic, on her international debut, dismissed captain Nigar Sultana. Mostary was then left with the responsibility of guiding Bangladesh towards a competitive total, but Indonesia continued to restrict the scoring. Ni Luh Dewi struck twice in the 17th over to remove Mostary for 40 and Ritu Moni, leaving Bangladesh in further trouble.
Shorna briefly changed the momentum, hitting a six and a four, but Indonesia’s bowling ensured Bangladesh could not fully capitalise. Indonesia too dropped as many as three catches but the reprieves did not make much of an impact.
Ariani produced a dramatic finish to the innings, picking up two wickets as Bangladesh slipped from 105 for 3 to 129 for 8. They lost five wickets for 21 runs in just 17 balls, with Shorna, who had looked Bangladesh’s most fluent batter late in the innings, stranded at the non-striker’s end for much of the final over.
Bangladesh bowlers rule
Marufa began with a probing over, getting the ball to swing both ways and keeping Indonesia’s openers cautious. She broke through in her second over, having Rahmawati Pangestuti edge a full delivery to mid-on. she struck again in her next over, trapping Maria Corazon lbw with a full ball that swung sharply into her pads and beat her attempted flick. Indonesia had lost both openers early but they had made a slightly better start than Bangladesh managed during their own powerplay.
But the game shifted after the powerplay as Bangladesh’s spinners tightened the screws. Senior legspinner Fahima Khatun ended Ni Putu Ayu Nanda Sakarini’s difficult stay at the crease in the ninth over, trapping the Indonesia captain in front for just 2 off 15 balls. Sanjida Akter Meghla followed up with another wicket in the next over, trapping Dewi lbw after she missed a length ball that came into her pads.
Nahida struck in the 12th over but it was in the 14th over that Indonesia’s innings completely fell apart. Nahida first dismissed Suwandewi for 3 after a mistimed pull. Sofia Velic was then run out for 1 following a quick throw from deep fine leg, before Nahida finished the over by bowling Ariani for 2. Indonesia had slipped to eight down, and two more run-outs completed their innings as Bangladesh sealed a convincing 71-run victory.
Scores:
Bangladesh Women 129 for 8 in 20 overs (Dilara Akter 27, Sobhana Mostary 40, Nigar Sultana 10, Shorna Akter 31*; Ni Made Putri Suwandevi 1-13, Ni Ariani 3-28, Ni Luh Dewi 2-21) beat Indonesia Women 58 in 17.3 overs (Maria Corazon 12; Marufa Akter 2-06, Sanjida Akter Meghia 1-11, Nahida nahida 3-15, Fahima Khatun 1-09) by 71 runs
[Cricinfo]
Latest News
Sun directly overhead Kalpitiya, Talawa, Sinharagama, Galkadawala, Nachchaduwa, Padikaramaduwa, Gomarankalla and Verugal about 12.10 noon today (01)
The sun is going to be directly over the latitudes of Sri Lanka from 28th of August to 07th of September due to its apparent southward relative motion.
The nearest places of Sri Lanka over which the sun is overhead today (01) are Kalpitiya, Talawa, Sinharagama, Galkadawala,
Nachchaduwa, Padikaramaduwa, Gomarankalla and Verugal about 12.10 noon.
The inaugural Women’s Champions Trophy, scheduled for February 2027, will be moved out of Sri Lanka with the SLC set to be stripped of hosting rights. Cricinfo has confirmed that the six-team event will be played at a different venue in the same window, and it is likely to be held in India. The new hosts will be confirmed at the next ICC board meeting in October.
Sri Lanka have lost the right to stage the tournament, which was due to be their second ICC event in a year after they also co-hosted the 2026 men’s T20 World Cup, because of government interference in their board. The SLC has an interim administration, called the Transformation Committee, which was put in place by the Sri Lankan government and will oversee major board changes including to the constitution.
The ICC does not recognise politically appointed administrations and SLC representatives have not been at ICC board meetings since the Transformation Committee was put in place.
The change in venue could significantly impact the Sri Lanka side, who only qualified for the event by virtue of it being held in their country. The competition is limited to the top six teams on the ICC rankings and, as of the rankings update on Saturday, Sri Lanka are currently seventh. Australia, England, India, New Zealand and South Africa make up the top five. West Indies are sixth and would have originally missed out but if Sri Lanka do not qualify, then the Caribbean could sneak in.
This will be the second time in three years that Sri Lanka have lost out on an ICC event. In 2023, the 2024 men’s Under-19 World Cup was taken away from them for the same reasons and moved to South Africa.
In any case, while the Transformation Committee is in charge, SLC’s electoral processes stand suspended. The Transformation Committee’s official task is to reform that very electoral system, and the Sri Lanka Cricket constitution in general. According to the country’s laws, this can only be done through parliament.
The Transformation Committee has said it has produced a fresh constitution which is expected to be taken up in parliament over the next few weeks. Members of that Transformation Committee told Cricinfo that it expects for SLC elections to take place before the end of 2026, so long as the parliamentary process runs smoothly.
(Cricinfo)
Nahida, Marufa help Bangladesh brush aside Indonesia
Showers will occur in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern and Uva provinces and in Kandy and Nuwara-Eliya districts
Sun directly overhead Kalpitiya, Talawa, Sinharagama, Galkadawala, Nachchaduwa, Padikaramaduwa, Gomarankalla and Verugal about 12.10 noon today (01)
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