Congo Ebola outbreak tops 2,000 deaths in under 3 months
What's new: Officials counted 4,381 confirmed cases across five provinces, and the Bundibugyo strain has no approved vaccine or treatment.
Democratic Republic of Congo's Ebola outbreak has passed 2,000 confirmed deaths, underscoring what health officials describe as the fastest-spreading outbreak on record. Government data showed 4,381 confirmed cases and 2,011 deaths across five provinces, with 704 patients in admission and isolation. The outbreak was declared May 15, but the World Health Organization said genetic sequencing indicates it likely began in February, after some early infections were mistaken for malaria and typhoid. The rare Bundibugyo strain driving the outbreak has no approved vaccines or treatments. Conflict, unpaid health worker strikes, supply shortages and difficult access to remote communities have slowed contact tracing and isolation. Cases have also been reported in neighboring Uganda.