Ebola deaths in Congo exceed 5,000 as virus spreads
The Bundibugyo virus outbreak has killed 5,026 people and infected 10,351 individuals, according to Congolese Ministry of Health data.
Ebola deaths in the Democratic Republic of Congo have surpassed 5,000, according to government data released on Saturday. The New Indian Express reported that 5,026 people have died out of 10,351 confirmed infections, representing a lethality rate of nearly 50 per cent.
The outbreak, caused by the Bundibugyo virus, began in mid-May. It has spread to 67 of the country's 178 health zones across eight of 26 provinces. The epicentre is located in the eastern regions of Ituri and North Kivu, which have recorded 9,782 cases and 4,792 deaths.
Dr. Patrick Otim, a programme area manager with the World Health Organization, said the number shows the severity of the outbreak. He noted that one-third of those who died did not receive medical care before passing away.
The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stated that approximately 80 per cent of recent infections originate from transmission chains that are not being monitored by health authorities. There is currently no known vaccine or treatment for this specific strain.
Efforts to contain the virus face challenges including conflict in the eastern region and attacks on medical staff. A nurse was killed last week while responding to an alert, and a politician was killed in September after advocating for health measures.
In other regions, Kenya has reported nine confirmed cases and two deaths, while Nigeria has identified two suspected cases. The outbreak is the first to be recorded across three different African regions.