DR Congo Ebola Outbreak Surpasses 5,000 Cases with Over 2,000 Deaths

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

According to Xinhua, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has warned that the outbreak could become the deadliest Ebola epidemic ever recorded worldwide if the rate of spread is not halted immediately.

The warning was issued by the Africa CDC on Monday (17/8), three months after the DRC declared the outbreak caused by the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus. According to the Africa CDC, the outbreak’s progression has already exceeded its worst-case projections.

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

The Africa CDC stated that this outbreak has become the deadliest Ebola outbreak in the DRC’s history and the fastest-growing Ebola outbreak ever recorded. The case fatality rate is reported to be approaching 50 percent.

“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 Africa CDC said.

The agency also highlighted the experience of neighbouring Uganda, which announced the end of its Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak on 28 July.

According to the Africa CDC, Uganda’s experience demonstrates that the Ebola virus can be controlled when proven public health measures are implemented rapidly and comprehensively.

Such efforts, the agency said, must also place communities at the centre of outbreak response strategies.

The DRC itself declared the ongoing Ebola outbreak on 15 May. Since then, the spread of the virus has remained a serious concern, particularly due to the rapid increase in cases and deaths across several regions.