Ebola outbreak in DR Congo becomes deadliest in its history
The Democratic Republic of Congo is facing its deadliest Ebola outbreak in history, with over 2,300 deaths recorded. The WHO describes the transmission rate as exceptional, exacerbated by regional conflict and population mobility.
Why it matters
The rapid spread of a highly lethal virus in a conflict-prone region poses a significant threat to global public health and humanitarian stability.
Image source, EPA/Shutterstock Image caption, A new Ebola treatment centre was inaugurated in Rwakole, Bunia, DR Congo on 4 August
The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo is now the deadliest in its history, according to public health officials.
A total of 2,325 people have been killed by the virus since it was declared on 15 May, surpassing the death toll of the country's 2018-2020 outbreak.
The outbreak was already the fastest growing on record, UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher said last week, warning that "the epidemic is killing someone every 30 minutes".
There is currently no approved vaccine available for the Bundibugyo species that has caused the current epidemic but several are in development, including one based on technology used to develop the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine.
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