The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has become the deadliest in the country's history, with at least 2,325 people killed, according to government data. This surpasses the death toll from the 2018-20 outbreak, marking a grim milestone for the nation.
Rising Cases and Fatalities
Congo's public health institute reported on Sunday that confirmed cases had risen to 4,945, including 101 new cases detected in the previous 24 hours. The rapid increase underscores the severity of the current epidemic, which has affected six of the DRC's 26 provinces, primarily along the north-eastern border.
More than 3,400 of the cases have been recorded in Ituri province, where the outbreak was first reported. The latest numbers indicate that this outbreak is the fastest growing in the known history of the virus.
Comparison with Previous Outbreaks
The West Africa 2014-16 Ebola outbreak resulted in 28,616 cases and 11,310 deaths across Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO). While that outbreak was larger in scale, the DRC's current crisis has now claimed more lives than any previous outbreak within the country.
On Friday, the UN warned that "Ebola is winning in the Democratic Republic of the Congo" and said the epidemic was now killing one person every 30 minutes. This stark warning highlights the urgent need for a coordinated international response.
Challenges in Treatment and Response
There are no approved vaccines or treatments for the rare Bundibugyo strain of the virus responsible for the current surge in cases. This strain poses unique challenges for health workers, as it differs from the Zaire strain targeted by existing vaccines.
Thomas Parisch, a public health specialist recently deployed to DRC with Médecins Sans Frontières, said: "Normally, as an outbreak progresses, the case fatality ratio should fall as contact tracing improves and patients are identified and treated earlier. Instead, we're still seeing many cases detected very late, when treatment is less likely to succeed, with many identified only after they die in the community."
Regional Spread and Global Response
Uganda has reported at least 20 cases, all in the capital, Kampala. In May, the outbreak in the DRC and Uganda was declared a public health emergency of international concern by the WHO, triggering a global response.
The virus is transmitted to people from wild animals and then spreads in the human population through direct contact with the blood, secretions, organs or other bodily fluids of infected people and with contaminated surfaces and materials such as bedding or clothing. According to WHO, symptoms can include fever, fatigue, malaise, muscle pain, headache and sore throat, followed by vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, rash and symptoms of impaired kidney and liver functions.
The ongoing crisis underscores the need for sustained international support to contain the outbreak and prevent further loss of life.
