Ebola kills 1,700 in eastern Congo as the fastest-growing outbreak surges - AP News
An Ebola outbreak in eastern Congo has resulted in over 1,700 deaths, with health officials struggling to contain the rapid spread. Challenges such as community mistrust and violence are hindering contact tracing efforts.
Why it matters
The outbreak is the second-largest in history, posing a significant public health threat that requires urgent international intervention.
Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. --> Share
BUNIA, Congo (AP) — Ebola has killed more than 1,700 people in eastern Congo in what has become the fastest-growing outbreak of the disease , according to data — spreading faster than health officials can track and with patient zero still unidentified.
As of Tuesday, 3,802 cases had been recorded, with 1,707 deaths, the latest government update showed.
It was not clear when the outbreak will reach its peak, Africa CDC Director-General Jean Kaseya said Tuesday during his second visit to the town of Bunia, located near the epicenter of the outbreak in Ituri province.
Kaseya pointed out that some 60-70% of the new cases were recorded from spreading within a community, not from contact tracing — a method that traces those who have been in contact with a confirmed case.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in