Ebola Cases in Congo Surpass 5,000

Health authorities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo warn that efforts to contain the Ebola outbreak are failing.

According to the latest data from the country’s public health institute, 5,021 cases have been reported. The death toll rose to 2,378 over the weekend. Congo’s 17th Ebola outbreak became the largest in the country’s history by number of cases in late July, surpassing the 2018–2020 outbreak.

Globally, it is the second-worst Ebola epidemic in terms of both cases and deaths, behind only the 2014–2016 outbreak in West Africa.

The virus responsible is the Bundibugyo species of Ebola, for which there are no approved vaccines or treatments.

The outbreak has gained momentum since it was declared on 15 May. Efforts to combat it are hampered by weak healthcare infrastructure, resistance from some local communities, instability and protests by workers involved in the response.

(Reuters, est)