Ebola outbreak now DR Congo's deadliest ever

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is currently experiencing its deadliest Ebola outbreak on record, with the disease claiming over 2,300 lives in just three months, according to government figures reported by The Korea Times. The UN has described the outbreak as the fastest growing on record, with victims dying every 30 minutes.

The Bundibugyo strain responsible for the current surge has no specific vaccine or treatment, spreading through contact with bodily fluids and causing a hemorrhagic fever. The outbreak, declared on May 15, is believed to have already been spreading for weeks prior to this declaration. The DRC's 17th Ebola outbreak has primarily affected regions in the north and east, where state presence is weak, health infrastructure is lacking, and armed groups have been active for decades.

The previous deadliest outbreak in the DRC, which occurred between 2018 and 2020, resulted in 2,299 deaths out of 3,381 confirmed cases. As of the latest toll reported on Monday, the Congolese authorities stated that 2,300 people have lost their lives.

Brief written by urgent.news from The Korea Times's own syndicated text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.