Congo says the death toll in fastest-growing Ebola outbreak has passed 1,500
By PROSPER HERI NGORORA and MARK BANCHEREAU BUNIA, Congo (AP) — Ebola has killed more than 1,500 people in eastern Congo in the fastest-growing outbreak of the disease , data released Thursday showed, marking a 50% increase in around a week as the emergency continues to outpace response efforts. As of Tuesday, 3,442 cases had been recorded, with 1,521 deaths, according to the latest government update. The sharp rise since last week partly reflects a backlog of cases and deaths that had not yet been confirmed or recorded, the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Thursday. The outbreak, declared on May 15, has been linked to the Bundibugyo virus for which there are no approved vaccines or treatments.
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1 dead — more than The outbreak is mostly concentrated in eastern Congo’s remote Ituri province, which accounts for nearly 90% of cases, but there have been others confirmed in five provinces, including one of the country’s largest cities, Kisangani. Officials say the relocation of these partners, including Africa CDC and Mercy Corps, has disrupted surveillance, contact tracing and supplies.
