Ebola outbreak kills more than 5,300 people in DR Congo

The death toll from the latest Ebola outbreak in Africa has surpassed 5,300, with the majority of cases recorded in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), according to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).

Outbreak Statistics and Spread

According to data from the Africa CDC released on Monday, the outbreak has killed 5,376 people. The breakdown of fatalities includes 5,372 deaths in the DRC and two deaths each in Kenya and Uganda.

This outbreak is caused by the rare Bundibugyo strain of the virus. According to data from the DRC as of October 31, the outbreak has infected more than 10,000 people, with an over 50% fatality rate. The Africa CDC reports that this is the fastest-growing and most widespread Ebola epidemic on record.

In the DRC, which declared its 17th and largest Ebola outbreak in mid-May, the Bundibugyo strain has infected approximately 10,444 people across the DRC, Uganda, and Kenya.

Regional Impact and International Cases

The virus has crossed borders several times in recent months:

• Uganda: Recorded 20 cases, almost all involving people who had travelled from the DRC, before being declared Ebola-free in August.
• Kenya: Recorded nine infections and two deaths in October, marking the first recorded cases of Ebola in the country.
• Nigeria: Health authorities reported two rounds of testing of two suspected cases in the northeast region, which confirmed the samples were negative. Separately, Abuja reported its first imported case in October, which was the first in more than a decade; it has no recorded deaths.
• France: A single case involving a health worker returning from the DRC was reported in July.

Medical Context and Treatment

There are currently no approved treatments or vaccines to combat the rare Bundibugyo strain. The virus is transmitted through contact with bodily fluids and causes haemorrhagic fever.

In recent weeks, clinical trials have begun with the Ervebo vaccine, which has proved effective against the more common Zaire strain.

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Sources

• aljazeera.com: Ebola outbreak kills more than 5,300 people in DR Congo | Ebola News | Al Jazeera
• aol.com: Ebola kills over 5,300 in fastest-growing outbreak on record - AOL
• theannapurnaexpress.com: Ebola outbreak kills more than 5,300 people in DR Congo

This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.