Doctors in Congo report current Ebola outbreak may be causing milder symptoms in many patients

Why would milder Ebola symptoms make the outbreak harder to control?

Health officials say milder illness can make Ebola less obvious to patients, families, and clinicians, which may delay testing, isolation, and contact tracing even if outcomes are better for some patients NYT,RTTNews.

What evidence is there that this outbreak may be milder?

The evidence is preliminary. The New York Times reported that a Congo health ministry assessment cited by WHO's outbreak lead found about 90% of patients do not appear to develop extensive bleeding, and early data also suggests a lower death rate than in some past outbreaks NYT.

What is known about the outbreak's scale and spread so far?

Reports citing Congolese and international health authorities say the outbreak has produced more than 1,000 confirmed cases and 277 confirmed deaths in Congo, with additional deaths reported in Uganda and an imported case confirmed in France Houston Chronicle,CNN Español,Revista Proceso.