The number of Ebola-related deaths in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has risen to 930

At least 930 people have died in the Democratic Republic of the Congo due to the Ebola outbreak that was declared in the eastern part of the country on May 15. According to the local Ministry of Health, a total of 2,344 cases have been confirmed, and 37 new deaths were recorded in a single day. 

This outbreak is being called the fastest in recorded history and was caused by the rare Bundibugyo virus, for which there is no approved vaccine or treatment.

The situation is particularly dire in Ituri Province, where medical care is limited due to safety concerns for healthcare workers and mass layoffs caused by unpaid wages. Since the outbreak began, 12 attacks on medical facilities have been reported, and at least 36 infected healthcare workers have died. Currently, 724 patients are in hospitals or in isolation.

Source: AP

It was previously reported that the 17th Ebola outbreak was recorded in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which has already claimed the lives of 80 people. This time, the disease was likely caused by the little-studied Bundibugyo ebolavirus strain, rather than the more common Zaire ebolavirus.

Ethiopia has recorded its first outbreak of the Marburg virus, which is clinically similar to Ebola. The pathogen is capable of spreading rapidly, but there are no vaccines against it.