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Congo's Ebola Outbreak Surpasses 10,000 Cases, 5,000 Deaths
· Confirmed
In Short: The Democratic Republic of Congo's Ebola outbreak, caused by the Bundibugyo virus, has surpassed 10,000 confirmed cases and nearly 5,000 deaths, with the virus spreading to neighboring countries.
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is grappling with the second-largest Ebola virus outbreak globally, with more than 10,000 people infected and over 4,887 deaths since the outbreak was declared in mid-May, according to local health officials and the World Health Organization (WHO).
The outbreak, caused by the Bundibugyo virus, has now reached eight provinces in the DRC, marking the largest outbreak on record in the country. As of Oct. 27, the European CDC reported 10,141 confirmed cases and 4,928 deaths in the DRC alone, with nearly 4,900 deaths reported across affected countries, including Kenya and Nigeria, where the virus has spread beyond the DRC’s borders.
The situation has escalated to a crisis level, with families struggling to access healthcare and health facilities under immense pressure. According to Greg Ramm, the DRC director of an organization working on the ground, the milestone is a 'stark reminder of the scale of this crisis.'
Health workers responding to the outbreak are facing significant challenges, including violence and threats. Earlier this month, an attack on health workers responding to an Ebola alert left one nurse dead and another injured. The Bundibugyo virus did not show up on available testing kits for weeks, and there is no available vaccine for it, complicating containment efforts.
In Kenya, health authorities are monitoring more than 100 people who came into contact with the country's first confirmed case. As of Tuesday, Kenya has confirmed nine cases of Ebola, with 135 contacts identified and 134 now in quarantine. The health ministry reported a third case of Ebola in Kenya, a close relative of the country’s first two cases.
Jean Kaseya, the director-general of the Africa CDC, warned that the illness could spread like COVID-19 unless more funding is secured to increase preparedness and possible treatment. He emphasized that the response must move faster to contain the outbreak.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has called for sustained efforts to end the outbreak, urging all stakeholders to work together to protect communities from this deadly disease. The State Department has raised its travel advisory for Kenya to level 3, asking Americans to reconsider travel due to health risks, crime, kidnapping, terrorism, unrest, and traffic safety.
The outbreak has also led to political violence, with a senior politician from the ruling party beaten to death in Butembo after promoting Ebola prevention during a radio interview. Demonstrations against constitutional changes that could allow President Felix Tshisekedi to seek a third term have also erupted, further complicating the response efforts.
What this adds
The outbreak has surpassed 10,000 confirmed cases, with nearly 4,900 deaths reported across affected countries, as the virus continues to spread beyond the DRC’s borders.
Background
The Democratic Republic of Congo's Ebola outbreak, caused by the Bundibugyo virus, has surpassed 10,000 confirmed cases and nearly 5,000 deaths.
The Democratic Republic of Congo's Ebola outbreak, caused by a rare strain, has reached 10,000 confirmed cases.
What's confirmed
- "Everyone working to protect communities from this deadly disease must be able to work in dignity and safety," he said in a post on X.
- Earlier this month, two countries, Kenya and Nigeria, reported their first cases linked to the ongoing outbreak.
What's still developing
- "Families are struggling to access health care, health facilities are under immense pressure, and many communities lack the resources needed to prevent transmission and keep children safe."
- "Behind this milestone are thousands of families facing unimaginable fear and uncertainty, and children are bearing some of the heaviest consequences," he said.
- "We have the expertise and the capacity on this continent. We must mobilise them together to stop this outbreak and save lives."
- "Those responding to the Ebola outbreak must be protected," Professor Janabi said.
- The Congolese were matching the Portuguese, though, and 35-year-old veteran striker Cedric Bakambu shrugged aside Bruno Fernandes, but his shot came back off the near post.