DRC Ebola outbreak becomes deadliest in country's history

An Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has claimed 2,325 lives, surpassing the previous record of 2,299 deaths from an outbreak in 2018-2020, according to government figures released on Monday. The disease, which spreads through infected bodily fluids and can lead to fever, vomiting, diarrhea, and severe bleeding, has infected a total of 4,945 individuals.

The United Nations reports that this outbreak is the fastest-growing on record, causing a fatality every half an hour in the DRC. This current outbreak, the 17th in the DRC, is caused by the Bundibugyo species of Ebola and has spread to five provinces, beginning in northeastern Ituri province. The case fatality ratio, the proportion of deaths following a confirmed infection, has increased from around 20% at the start of the outbreak to 46% now, indicating significant shortcomings in surveillance, detection, and access to care.

Despite this, experts maintain that the virus has not become more lethal; rather, these statistics reflect the lack of effective measures in place. Since the 1950s, Ebola has caused over 15,000 deaths in Africa.