The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has become the deadliest recorded in the country, with more than 2,300 deaths reported since the outbreak was declared in May, according to public health officials.
Health authorities have recorded 4,945 confirmed cases, including 101 new infections within a 24-hour period, highlighting the rapid spread of the virus.
The outbreak has reached six of the country’s 26 provinces, raising concerns among health officials over the pace of transmission.
The current outbreak is being caused by the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, a rare variant linked to only two previous outbreaks. Unlike the Zaire strain, which has caused several major epidemics, there is no approved vaccine specifically targeting Bundibugyo Ebola.
Public health officials have described the outbreak as exceptionally fast-moving. The UN humanitarian chief previously warned that the disease was killing about one person every 30 minutes at its peak.
Most cases have remained within the Democratic Republic of Congo, although infections have also been reported in neighbouring Uganda and a small number of cases have been detected in Europe.
The World Health Organisation is working with local authorities and partners to contain the outbreak, with a target of bringing transmission under control within three months. Officials, however, have cautioned that reducing transmission would not necessarily mean the outbreak had ended.
Scientists are also working on a vaccine for the Bundibugyo strain. Britain’s medicines regulator has approved human trials of a vaccine developed by Oxford University researchers using technology similar to that used for the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine.
Ebola is a rare but severe viral disease that can cause fever, headache and fatigue, followed by vomiting and diarrhoea. It is mainly transmitted through direct contact with the blood or other bodily fluids of an infected person.
The outbreak is the 17th recorded in the Democratic Republic of Congo since Ebola was first identified in the country 50 years ago. Conflict, population displacement and pressure on the healthcare system have continued to complicate efforts to contain outbreaks.
