Congo Ebola outbreak on track to become deadliest in history

The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo is rapidly escalating, with confirmed cases surpassing 4,500 and at least 2,100 deaths – a toll reached almost three times faster than a decade ago. William Brangham spoke with epidemiologist Dr. Anne Rimoin, director of UCLA's Center for Global Health Security, about the crisis.

She explained that the outbreak is the fastest-growing ever recorded, echoing a previous outbreak that claimed over 11,000 lives a decade prior. Dr. Rimoin highlighted the Bundibugyo strain as a key factor, noting that there are no approved vaccines or treatments for this particular strain, which kills between a quarter and half of those infected.

The medical system in Congo is severely strained, lacking personnel and protective gear, and is further complicated by fear and misinformation. Frontline health workers are protesting unpaid wages for months, risking their lives and those of their families. Insecurity, stemming from ongoing violence over Congo's valuable minerals, impedes medical care access, as 60-70% of Ebola deaths occur in communities where patients often reach hospitals too late or cannot receive care.

The World Health Organization's director general, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, warns that the outbreak is moving faster than any previous Ebola outbreak.