More than 5,000 dead as Ebola outbreak becomes deadliest in DR Congo's history

More than 5,000 people have died from an ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, according to government data, with more than 10,300 confirmed cases spread across eight of the country's 26 provinces. The outbreak began in May and became the country's deadliest on record in August, public health officials said. The current case fatality rate stands at 48.6%. In its latest update, the health ministry said the epicentre remains in Ituri province in the north-east, a conflict zone where containing the virus is harder. Cases have also been confirmed in Kenya, Nigeria and Uganda. The United Nations says this is DR Congo's 17th outbreak and the second largest in history. The World Health Organization's Africa office said a "continued scale-up of key control measures, greater access to affected areas, and community outreach" is needed to end the outbreak. Testing and treatment are under way, along with clinical trials of vaccines. The Bundibugyo species is behind the current outbreak, and there is not yet any treatment or vaccine for this strain. DR Congo's previous deadliest outbreak saw 2,299 deaths recorded between 2018 and 2020, according to the UN. The deadliest in history occurred in West Africa between 2014 and 2016, killing more than 11,325 people and spreading to several countries including Italy, the UK and the United States, according to the WHO. The UN warns that the current outbreak is "taking lives at a much faster rate". Ebola is a rare, deadly disease caused by a virus, and symptoms come on suddenly. As the disease progresses, vomiting and diarrhoea develop and it can lead to organ failure. Some, but not all, patients develop internal and external bleeding. The virus spreads from person to person through contact with infected bodily fluids such as blood or vomit. Responding to the outbreak has been complicated by violence. Earlier this week, a nurse was killed and another health worker seriously injured in an attack while responding to an Ebola alert, after local youths accused them of contaminating water sources and spreading the virus, according to the UN-backed Radio Okapi. Last month, a politician was beaten to death after promoting measures to stop the spread of Ebola. In August, the Red Cross said its volunteers had been injured and an ambulance set on fire in 11 violent incidents in the outbreak's first 100 days. In Uganda, two people died and 20 cases were recorded shortly after the outbreak started, but no cases have been reported since August. Travel restrictions remain in place for those crossing into the country from neighbouring DR Congo. In Kenya, there have been nine confirmed cases and two recorded deaths. Nigeria's disease control centre said two suspected cases were identified on Saturday, adding that the individuals have been isolated and are undergoing testing. Earlier in October, one woman confirmed to have the disease in the country was flown to Switzerland for further treatment. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control said the likelihood of infection for people in the Europe area is "very low".