Confirmed Ebola cases in DR Congo surpass 5,000

The number of confirmed Ebola cases in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has surpassed 5,000, with more than 2,320 deaths.

Meanwhile, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) warned on Monday (17/8) that the outbreak could become the deadliest Ebola epidemic ever recorded in the world unless the rate of spread is halted immediately.

In a statement, the Africa CDC said that three months after the outbreak caused by the Bundibugyo Ebola virus was declared, its progression had “exceeded its worst expectations.”

Africa CDC data as of Monday showed that the DRC has reported more than 5,000 confirmed cases and more than 2,320 deaths across six provinces: Ituri, North Kivu, South Kivu, Haut-Uele, Bas-Uele, and Tshopo.

The Africa CDC stated that the outbreak has become the deadliest Ebola outbreak in the DRC’s history and the fastest-growing Ebola outbreak ever recorded, with a case fatality rate approaching 50 percent.

“Currently, the outbreak is claiming one life every 30 minutes. If the rate of spread is not halted immediately, this outbreak risks becoming the deadliest Ebola outbreak ever recorded in the world,” the agency said.

The Africa CDC also highlighted neighbouring Uganda, which announced the end of its Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak on 28 July, stating that Uganda’s experience demonstrates that the virus can be controlled if proven public health measures are implemented rapidly and comprehensively, with communities placed at the centre of response efforts.

The DRC declared the current Ebola outbreak on 15 May.