Congo-Kinshasa: Ebola Outbreak Becomes Deadliest in DR Congo's History

What the report says

The Democratic Republic of the Congo’s Ebola Bundibugyo outbreak has become the country’s deadliest on record, according to the World Health Organization, as cited by UN News and carried by AllAfrica. Local authorities said the outbreak has caused 2,325 deaths, overtaking the toll from the DRC’s 2018-2020 Ebola emergency. The outbreak was declared by national authorities on 15 May and later became the country’s largest by confirmed cases in late July.

Government data in the report put the number of confirmed cases at 4,945. It also said 730 patients were still in isolation or hospital care and 1,040 people had recovered, with the fatality rate rising to 46%. WHO said the strain has no approved treatment, and vaccine trials are underway in the UK and Canada. The agency warned that the outbreak is moving faster than the response, especially in areas affected by conflict, weak health systems and distrust of medical teams.

The report says UN agencies and African health partners are trying to limit spread to neighboring countries including South Sudan and the Central African Republic. WHO and Africa CDC launched a broader response plan in June, while OCHA has allocated $54.5 million to support the DRC response and preparedness in nearby states. In the Central African Republic, MINUSCA is also helping with surveillance, logistics and public awareness.