What to know about the outbreak of a rare kind of Ebola

ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — An Ebola outbreak in Congo has surpassed 5,000 confirmed cases, marking it as one of the largest outbreaks of this rare and deadly disease ever recorded. The outbreak, caused by the Bundibugyo virus, has resulted in 2,378 deaths as of Sunday, making it the deadliest Ebola outbreak in Congo's history. The World Health Organization warns that it could eventually surpass the 2014-2016 West African outbreak, which claimed over 11,000 lives.

Ebola is a rare but often fatal disease caused by viruses that typically originate in animals. Humans can contract the virus through contact with infected animals, and it can then spread between people through direct contact with the blood or bodily fluids of an infected individual. Unlike respiratory illnesses, Ebola is not generally transmitted through the air.

Symptoms typically appear between two and 21 days after exposure and include fever, fatigue, headache, muscle pain, sore throat, vomiting, and diarrhea. In some cases, patients may experience internal or external bleeding.

The Bundibugyo virus, responsible for this outbreak, is one of several Ebola virus types. It was first identified during an outbreak in western Uganda in 2007, resulting in 37 deaths. The only other known outbreak occurred in Congo in 2012, with even fewer cases. The current epidemic is far larger than these previous outbreaks.

Although there are vaccines and antibody treatments for the more common Ebola virus, they are not approved for the Bundibugyo virus. Patients are primarily treated with supportive care, such as fluids, symptom management, and complications treatment. The virus's fatality rate varies depending on the outbreak and the promptness of care.

In Congo's current outbreak, nearly half of the confirmed Ebola patients have died, with a fatality rate of 47.4% in some regions. The situation varies across the six affected provinces, with some areas experiencing higher fatality rates due to more challenging response efforts.