Inside the epicenter of the Ebola – As the Ebola outbreak rages on in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Hélène Akilimali remains vigilant, taking all necessary precautions to shield herself from the disease. Despite her efforts to wear a face mask at all times in public, she acknowledges that her work as a cocoa seller exposes her to close interactions with others, some of whom still question whether Ebola is a genuine threat. “Ebola is a real disease,” Akilimali asserted, emphasizing that misinformation and careless attitudes are contributing to the loss of lives. “People need to stop deceiving themselves.” The journalist, who spoke with Akilimali during a field report, noted that while she adheres strictly to protective measures, her customers often act without regard for safety protocols. “You can’t force them to comply,” she said, highlighting the challenges of balancing caution with community engagement.

The latest Ebola epidemic has…