Congo Ebola Death Toll Surpasses 3,000

The worst Ebola outbreak in the history of the Democratic Republic of the Congo continues to spread in the northeast of the country. The number of confirmed cases has reached 6,186, and 3,007 people have died.

The outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo variant. In terms of both scope and death toll, it has already surpassed the epidemic that occurred from 2018 to 2020. Globally, only the 2014 to 2016 outbreak in West Africa was worse, infecting more than 28,600 people and killing more than 11,000 residents of Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone.

Authorities declared the epidemic on 15 May in Ituri Province, though some experts believe it may have begun as early as January. Despite efforts by the government, the World Health Organization and humanitarian groups, the outbreak has spread to six provinces.

Early detection and treatment of patients are complicated by a weak surveillance system, insecurity and resistance from local communities. According to estimates, approximately 60% of deaths occur outside treatment centers.

There is no approved vaccine or treatment specifically for the Bundibugyo variant, but several vaccines are in development. Congolese authorities have begun vaccinating frontline healthcare workers with Merck’s Ervebo vaccine, which is approved against the Zaire variant and is now being tested to determine whether it can protect against Bundibugyo.

(Reuters, bak)