The Democratic Republic of the Congo reported 5,026 deaths and 10,351 Ebola infections, with the disease spreading across eight provinces and cases recorded in other African countries, according to the latest government figures.
The figures put the reported death rate at nearly 49%. This shows the severity of an outbreak declared in mid-May. The outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo virus.
There is no approved vaccine or specific treatment for this virus. It is now the second-deadliest Ebola outbreak on record, after the 2014–2016 West African epidemic. In Congo, the virus has reached 67 health zones, with active cases in 50 of them.
Health authorities say 2,788 people have recovered. However, many deaths have occurred in communities rather than treatment centres. This makes it harder to identify infections and slow transmission.
The outbreak has also affected Kenya and Nigeria. Uganda previously reported cases. Response efforts face obstacles, including insecurity, difficulties tracing contacts and gaps in early detection.
These challenges have heightened concern about further spread.