More than 5,000 die from Ebola in DR Congo's deadliest outbreak
Government data shows that more than 10,000 people have contracted the rare virus.
More than 5,000 people have died in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s worst Ebola outbreak, according to government figures.
There is no vaccine for this strain of the virus, although clinical trials are now underway.
The outbreak has claimed more than 5,000 lives, with more than 10,300 confirmed cases, and has spread to eight of the country’s 26 provinces. Public health officials said the outbreak, which began in May, became the deadliest in the nation’s history in August. The current case fatality rate stands at 48.6%.
In its most recent update, the health ministry said the epidemic’s epicentre remains in Ituri province in the north-east, a conflict area that has made efforts to contain the virus more difficult. Cases have also been confirmed in Kenya, Nigeria and Uganda.
According to the United Nations, this is the 17th outbreak in DR Congo’s history and the second largest ever recorded there. The World Health Organization (WHO) office in Africa said ending the outbreak will require a "continued scale-up of key control measures, greater access to affected areas, and community outreach". It added that testing and treatment are ongoing, along with clinical trials of vaccines.
The Bundibugyo species is responsible for the current outbreak, but there is currently no treatment or vaccine for this strain.
Ebola is a rare and deadly viral disease whose symptoms appear suddenly. As it advances, vomiting and diarrhoea can develop, and it may cause organ failure. Some, though not all, patients also experience internal and external bleeding. The virus spreads through contact with infected bodily fluids such as blood or vomit.
Efforts to treat the disease have also been complicated by attacks on health workers and a politician responding to the outbreak. Earlier this week, a nurse was killed and another health worker was seriously injured in an attack while responding to an Ebola alert. According to the UN-backed Radio Okapi, local youths accused them of contaminating water sources and spreading the virus.
Last month, a politician was beaten to death after promoting measures to stop Ebola’s spread. In August, the Red Cross said its volunteers had been injured and an ambulance had been set on fire in 11 violent incidents during the outbreak’s first 100 days.
No cases have been reported in Uganda since August, though travel restrictions remain in place for people crossing into the country from neighbouring DR Congo.
Kenya has recorded nine confirmed cases and two deaths. In Nigeria, one woman was confirmed to have the disease and was flown to Switzerland for further treatment.
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control said the chance of infection for people in Europe is "very low."