Ebola outbreak in DR Congo kills more than 5,000

Summarised from 4 outlets · Updated 31 Oct, 18:06 · Archive

More than 5,000 people have died from an Ebola outbreak in DR Congo, the country's deadliest on record.

More than 5,000 people have died from an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, with government data showing more than 10,300 confirmed cases. The outbreak began in May and has spread to eight of the country's 26 provinces, affecting 67 health zones. It is the second-largest Ebola outbreak in history, behind only the 2014-2016 West African epidemic that killed more than 11,000 people across Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone.

The current case fatality rate stands at approximately 48 to 50 per cent. The outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo strain of the virus, for which there is no approved vaccine or treatment, though clinical trials are under way. Health workers typically treat symptoms such as dehydration, shock and co-occurring bacterial infections.

The epicentre remains in Ituri province in the north-east, a conflict zone that hampers containment efforts. Delayed detection, ongoing conflict and strained health services have enabled the virus to spread more rapidly than in past outbreaks. Authorities have also struggled with contact tracing and testing, two vital tools for controlling an outbreak, and have faced scepticism from local communities.

Dr Patrick Otim of the World Health Organization said the death toll represented 'a very tragic milestone because it is just not a number. It is families and communities that have been devastated by this outbreak.' The WHO has called for a 'continued scale-up of key control measures, greater access to affected areas, and community outreach' to end the outbreak.

Cases have also been confirmed in neighbouring countries, with Kenya, Uganda and Nigeria each reporting cases. This represents the 17th Ebola outbreak in DR Congo's history. Saudi Arabia has suspended travel to and entry from Kenya in response to the outbreak's spread, and previously suspended such travel from the DRC, Uganda and South Sudan.

How it is being reported

• More than 5,000 die from Ebola in DR Congo's deadliest outbreakGovernment data shows that more than 10,000 people have contracted the rare virus.BBC News · 31 Oct, 14:48
• Ebola deaths top 5,000 in DR Congo as WHO fears continent-wide spread of virus that kills half of infectedThe World Health Organization (WHO) said the Ebola outbreak in DR Congo had passed a 'very tragic milestone' after the latest figures showed more than 5,000 people dead from the virusThe Mirror · 31 Oct, 11:42
• Ebola death toll in DR Congo passes 5,000Authorities are struggling to find a way to control the outbreak, with no approved treatments or vaccines.Al Jazeera · 31 Oct, 02:51
• Ebola outbreak kills more than 5,000 people in Democratic Republic of CongoMore than 5,000 people have now died from an Ebola outbreak in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), according to government data.Sky News · 30 Oct, 22:47

In this story: Democratic Republic of Congo · World Health Organization · Kenya · Nigeria · Uganda · Saudi Arabia · Ituri province · Dr Patrick Otim

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log