The ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has surpassed the 2018-2020 crisis to become the deadliest in the nation's history, with over 2,300 deaths recorded.
Key points
- The outbreak has reached 4,945 confirmed cases across six provinces just three months after being declared.
- The surge is driven by the rare Bundibugyo strain, for which there are currently no approved vaccines or specific treatments.
- The UN has warned that the virus is spreading rapidly and causing a death rate of one person every 30 minutes in the region.
- Uganda has also reported at least 20 cases in its capital city, Kampala.
Why it matters
The unprecedented transmission speed and high fatality rate of the current Ebola surge pose a severe public health emergency in central Africa, compounded by regional insecurity and healthcare challenges.
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