More than 3,000 people killed in Ebola epidemic in Democratic Republic of Congo

More than 3,000 people have died in the Ebola epidemic sweeping the Democratic Republic of Congo, according to the latest balance published by Congolese authorities. The outbreak has infected 6,186 people and killed 3,007, giving it a fatality rate of 48.6 percent. Around 1,409 people have recovered.

The epidemic, officially declared in mid-May, affects conflict-ridden parts of eastern and northeastern Congo. It began in the remote Ituri province and has since spread to six provinces, where weak state presence and continuing insecurity involving armed groups complicate the response.

The outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola. No vaccines or treatments for that strain have yet received approval, although several vaccines and treatments are undergoing trials. Approved vaccines are effective only against the Zaire strain, which has caused the largest known Ebola epidemics.

Ebola spreads through contact with bodily fluids and causes hemorrhagic fever. The disease has killed more than 15,000 people in Africa over the past 50 years. Congo’s previous worst outbreak killed about 2,300 people among 3,500 recorded patients between 2018 and 2020.