health
Ebola outbreak in Democratic Republic of Congo now deadliest in country’s history
At least 2,325 people have been killed, according to government data, surpassing the death toll from 2018-20 outbreak
TL;DR
- The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is now the deadliest in the country's history, with at least 2,325 deaths.
- Confirmed cases have reached 4,945, with 101 new cases in the last 24 hours.
- The UN warned that the epidemic is killing one person every 30 minutes and that "Ebola is winning in the Democratic Republic of the Congo."
- Six of the DRC's 26 provinces are affected, primarily in the north-east, with Ituri province recording over 3,400 cases.
- This outbreak is the fastest-growing in the virus's known history.
- There are no approved vaccines or treatments for the specific Bundibugyo strain causing the surge.
- Uganda has reported at least 20 cases, all in the capital, Kampala.
- The WHO declared the outbreak in the DRC and Uganda a public health emergency of international concern in May.
- Ebola is transmitted from wild animals to humans and then spreads through direct contact with bodily fluids and contaminated surfaces.
- Symptoms include fever, fatigue, vomiting, diarrhea, and impaired organ functions.