Ebola Outbreak Kills More Than 5,300 as Congo’s Epidemic Becomes the Fastest-Growing on Record

KINSHASA, Nov. 2 (TodayViralUSA) — The Ebola outbreak centered in the Democratic Republic of Congo has killed 5,376 people, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention said Monday, making it the fastest-growing and most widespread Ebola epidemic on record and the deadliest since the 2013–2016 crisis in West Africa.

Of the deaths, 5,372 were in Congo and two each in Kenya and Uganda, the agency told AFP. More than 10,000 cases have been confirmed since the outbreak was declared in mid-May.

Fatality rate climbs above 50%

Congo’s latest situation report, with data through Oct. 30, counted 10,414 confirmed cases and a case fatality rate of 51.6%. Health officials said the jump in deaths reflected a review of records in Ituri province, the epicenter, that added 314 earlier deaths to the toll, rather than a single-day surge, Bloomberg and Africanews reported. The fatality rate stood at 48.6% two days earlier.

The epidemic has spread to eight Congolese provinces and 67 health zones. Africa CDC said about 80% of new cases are coming from people outside known chains of monitored contacts, meaning many infections are spreading undetected.

No approved vaccine

The outbreak is caused by the rare Bundibugyo strain of the virus, for which there is no approved vaccine or treatment. Patients receive supportive care for symptoms. Clinical trials have begun in recent weeks using Ervebo, a vaccine that has proved effective against the more common Zaire strain.

Ebola spreads through contact with the bodily fluids of an infected person and causes hemorrhagic fever. Over the past 50 years, the disease has killed more than 15,000 people in Africa.

Cases beyond Congo

Uganda recorded 20 cases, nearly all in people who had traveled from Congo, before being declared Ebola-free in August. Kenya reported nine infections in October, its first ever. Nigeria has one confirmed case, a Swiss woman who had traveled to Uganda; two later suspected cases in Adamawa state tested negative.

In the United States, the CDC said last month it would require every U.S.-bound air traveler to attest that they have not been in Congo. On Monday, the head of the World Health Organization said recent outbreaks of Ebola and hantavirus show why countries must finish negotiating a global pandemic agreement without delay, Euronews reported.