Ebola medics in eastern Congo face critical shortages of protective equipment as outbreak spreads

Nearly a month into one of the world's largest-ever Ebola outbreaks, medical workers in eastern Congo are struggling to secure basic equipment to stay safe and prevent disease spread, according to more than a dozen doctors, humanitarian workers and public health officials.

Shortages of personal protective equipment (PPE) have been driven by the size of the outbreak, reductions in pre-positioned stocks due to aid cuts, and logistical problems that have also driven up costs.

The International Rescue Committee warned on Tuesday that stocks of essential protective equipment are expected to run out within days, even as major donors are raising their contributions.