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Congo Ebola Outbreak Deadliest, Fastest Ever
23 Jul
Summary
- Over 1,000 lives lost in Congo's current Ebola outbreak.
- The outbreak reached 1,000 deaths in just over two months.
- A rare Bundibugyo virus variant causes the current outbreak.
The Ebola outbreak in Congo has tragically claimed over 1,000 lives, achieving this milestone at an unprecedented speed. Data indicates 2,536 confirmed cases and 1,033 deaths as of Tuesday, with the outbreak reaching 1,000 deaths in just over two months.
This year's outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo virus, a rare variant for which no vaccines or treatments are approved. This contrasts with the 2014-2016 Ebola epidemic, which was caused by the more common Ebola virus and resulted in over 11,000 deaths. The current outbreak's case fatality rate stands at 40%.
Unlike the widespread 2014-2016 epidemic that affected Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone, the current outbreak is largely confined to five eastern provinces in Congo. However, health officials warn that the peak may still be ahead due to unconfirmed patient zero and new cases emerging outside monitored contacts.
