Congo Ebola death toll tops 1,500 as spread outpaces response
What's new: Officials recorded 3,442 cases and said only about 78% of known contacts are being monitored, far below the 95% target.
Eastern Congo's Ebola outbreak has killed more than 1,500 people, with official data showing 1,521 deaths and 3,442 cases as of Tuesday in what aid agencies describe as the fastest-growing Ebola emergency on record. The outbreak, declared May 15 and driven by the Bundibugyo virus, is concentrated in Ituri province but has spread to five provinces, including Kisangani. Health officials say the response is falling behind: about 78% of known contacts are being monitored, below the 95% level needed to interrupt transmission. Conflict, illegal mining, attacks on health facilities and misinformation have disrupted tracing and treatment, while no approved vaccine or treatment exists for this strain.