DR Congo Ebola Outbreak Becomes Deadliest in Country’s History
The outbreak has killed 2,325 people and recorded 4,945 confirmed cases, surpassing the previous deadliest Ebola outbreak in DR Congo’s history
- Ebola deaths hit a record 2,325 in DR Congo
- Confirmed cases rise to 4,945
- Fatality rate climbs to about 46%
The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) has killed 2,325 people, making it the deadliest Ebola outbreak ever recorded in the country, according to government data released on Sunday.
Congo’s public health institute reported 4,945 confirmed cases, including 101 new infections recorded within the previous 24 hours.
The current death toll has surpassed the 2,299 fatalities recorded during the 2018–2020 Ebola outbreak, which was previously the country’s deadliest.
The outbreak, which was officially declared on May 15, has also become Congo’s largest Ebola outbreak by number of infections, surpassing the previous record in late July.
Globally, it is now the second-deadliest recorded Ebola epidemic, behind the 2014–2016 West Africa outbreak, which killed more than 11,000 people across Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone.
No Approved Vaccine or Treatment
The outbreak is being driven by the Bundibugyo species of Ebola, for which there are currently no approved vaccines or treatments.
Health authorities face significant challenges in containing the outbreak, including weak healthcare infrastructure, instability and resistance in some communities.
The case fatality rate has also risen sharply, reaching approximately 46%, with health experts attributing the increase largely to delays in detecting infections and getting patients into treatment.
A limited number of experimental vaccines and treatments are being assessed, while international health authorities are studying whether existing Ebola therapies could offer protection against the Bundibugyo strain.
The outbreak also spread to neighbouring Uganda, where 20 confirmed cases and two deaths were recorded before authorities declared the outbreak there over last month.
Ebola spreads through direct contact with the bodily fluids of infected people, including those who have died. Symptoms can include fever, vomiting and diarrhoea, while severe cases may result in internal or external bleeding.
