Home / Health / New Ebola Outbreak Grips Congo: 246 Cases, 65 Deaths
New Ebola Outbreak Grips Congo: 246 Cases, 65 Deaths
15 May
Summary
- Congo faces a new Ebola outbreak with 246 suspected cases.
- At least 65 deaths have been recorded in the current outbreak.
- Ebola has a high fatality rate, averaging 50% historically.
Health officials in the Central African country of Congo have announced a new Ebola outbreak, reporting 246 suspected cases and 65 fatalities. This severe disease, which has a high fatality rate, was first identified in 1976 with early outbreaks in South Sudan and Congo.
The viruses causing Ebola are native to sub-Saharan Africa, with the most significant outbreaks occurring in West and Central Africa. Three virus strains, Ebola virus, Sudan virus, and Bundibugyo virus, are known to cause major epidemics, with fruit bats believed to be the natural hosts.
Symptoms, appearing two to three weeks after exposure, begin with flu-like signs and can progress to bleeding and organ failure. Historically, Ebola has a 50% fatality rate, though this varies by outbreak. Only the Ebola virus has approved vaccines and treatments.
The 2013-2016 West Africa outbreak was the most severe on record, with over 28,000 cases and 11,000 deaths. More recently, a 2018-2020 outbreak in Congo and Uganda reported over 3,400 cases and 2,200 deaths. Congo has experienced more than a dozen significant outbreaks previously.
