Photo credit, EPA/Shutterstock
More than 5,000 people have died as a result of the Ebola epidemic currently raging in the Democratic Republic of Congo, according to government data.
Eight of the 26 provinces are now affected, with more than 10,300 confirmed cases.
The epidemic, which began in May, became the deadliest in the country's history in August, health authorities said. The current case fatality rate is 48.6%.
In its latest bulletin, the Health Ministry said the epicenter of the outbreak remained in the northeastern province of Ituri, a conflict zone, making it more difficult to contain the virus.
Cases have also been confirmed in Kenya, Nigeria and Uganda.
This is the 17th epidemic in the history of the DRC, according to the United Nations (UN), and the second largest in history.
The World Health Organization (WHO) Africa office said “continued strengthening of key control measures, improved access to affected areas and community awareness” are needed to end the outbreak.
Tests and treatments are underway, as well as clinical trials of vaccines, he added.
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The Bundibugyo species is the cause of the current epidemic, but there is still no treatment or vaccine against this strain.
The deadliest epidemic recorded so far in the Democratic Republic of Congo claimed 2,299 lives between 2018 and 2020, the UN said.
The deadliest in history occurred in West Africa between 2014 and 2016, killing more than 11,325 people and affecting several countries, including Italy, the United Kingdom and the United States, according to the WHO.
The UN warns that the current epidemic is “claiming lives at a much faster rate”.
Ebola is a rare and deadly disease caused by a virus, and its symptoms appear suddenly.
As the disease progresses, vomiting and diarrhea occur and can lead to multiple organ failure. Some, but not all, patients develop internal and external bleeding.
The virus is spread from person to person through contact with infected bodily fluids such as blood or vomit.
To further complicate the management of the disease, certain health professionals and a politician were attacked while intervening in the fight against the epidemic.
Earlier this week, a nurse was killed and another health worker seriously injured in an attack while responding to an Ebola scare. Young people in the neighborhood accused them of contaminating water sources and spreading the virus, according to Radio Okapi, a UN-backed media outlet.
Last month, a politician was beaten to death after promoting measures to stop the spread of Ebola, while in August the Red Cross said its volunteers were injured and an ambulance set on fire in 11 violent incidents in the first 100 days of the outbreak.
In Uganda, two deaths and 20 cases were recorded shortly after the outbreak began, but no new cases have been reported since August. Travel restrictions remain in place for people entering the country from the neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo.
In Kenya, there are nine confirmed cases and two deaths recorded.
Two suspected cases were identified in Nigeria on Saturday, the country's disease control center said, adding that the affected people have been isolated and are currently undergoing testing.
At the beginning of October, a woman tested positive for the disease in the country, but was transferred to Switzerland to receive further treatment.
The risk of infection for people in Europe is "very low", the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control said.
We used AI to help translate this article, originally written in English. A BBC journalist checked the translation before publication. Learn more about how we use AI.
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