Authorities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo have reported 6,186 confirmed Ebola cases and 3,007 deaths as the outbreak continues to spread across the country’s northeast.
It is now the deadliest Ebola outbreak recorded in DR Congo, surpassing the crisis that struck the country between 2018 and 2020.
Outbreak spreads across six provinces
The outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus. It is also the second-largest Ebola outbreak recorded worldwide.
The largest occurred in West Africa between 2014 and 2016, causing more than 11,000 deaths among over 28,600 cases.
The current outbreak was officially declared in Ituri province on 15 May, although health workers and specialists believe it may have begun as early as January. It has since spread to six provinces.
Detection and treatment challenges
Experts say weak surveillance systems, insecurity and resistance within some communities are hindering the early detection and treatment of patients.
Around 60% of deaths are estimated to occur outside healthcare facilities, according to the World Health Organization, highlighting the difficulties authorities face in identifying cases promptly.
No approved Bundibugyo vaccine
There is currently no approved vaccine or specific treatment for the Bundibugyo strain, although several potential vaccines are under development.
DR Congo authorities recently began vaccinating healthcare workers with Merck’s Ervebo vaccine. The vaccine is approved for the Zaire strain of Ebola but may offer some protection against Bundibugyo.
Source: CNA
