The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has killed 2,011 people out of 4,381 confirmed cases, according to Congolese officials on Tuesday.
This toll places the current outbreak close to the DRC's deadliest Ebola outbreak in 2018-2020, which resulted in nearly 2,300 deaths from 3,500 cases. The outbreak, declared on May 15, is thought to have been spreading for several weeks prior. Health authorities are struggling to deliver aid to remote areas due to rebel conflict, poor road conditions, and work stoppages over payment issues.
The World Health Organization stated that the outbreak began in February, months before its official declaration in mid-May, indicating that responders are still trying to catch up. A top virologist warned the outbreak has spread to 53 health zones in just three months. A clinical trial of the Ervebo vaccine is being investigated against the current Bundibugyo strain. Meanwhile, a man who returned to Israel from the Democratic Republic of Congo has been hospitalized on suspicion of contracting Ebola.