Ebola outbreak death toll surpasses 2,000 in DRC

The Democratic Republic of the Congo is grappling with its 17th Ebola outbreak, which has claimed over 2,000 lives and is rapidly becoming the country's largest by infection count. The current epidemic, declared in May, is nearing the severity of the 2018-2020 outbreak that killed nearly 2,300 people.

The virus is spreading in eastern and northeastern regions, areas already affected by ongoing armed conflicts. Health authorities report a stark 45.9 percent fatality rate. Humanitarian organizations on the ground are struggling, with the disease's spread outpacing their response efforts, which are being implemented across five affected provinces.

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The spread of the disease continues to outpace response measures, which are gradually being implemented in five affected eastern provinces.

Adding to the crisis, healthcare workers have initiated strikes, protesting a lack of payment for their services since the outbreak began. Ebola, a highly contagious disease transmitted through bodily fluids, causes hemorrhagic fever and was first identified in the DRC in 1976.

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A number of healthcare workers have gone on strike, protesting against the lack of payments for their work since the outbreak was declared.