An outbreak of Ebola caused by the Bundibugyo virus in the Democratic Republic of Congo has killed 5,026 people among 10,351 reported infections, and cases linked to the outbreak have also been detected in other African countries.
Figures released Saturday, October 31, put the death toll at nearly half the number of reported infections. They showed that 2,788 people had recovered. The outbreak was declared in mid-May.
It has become the second-deadliest Ebola epidemic on record. It was behind the 2014–2016 West African outbreak, which killed more than 11,000 people. In Congo, infections have reached 67 of the country’s 178 health zones across eight provinces.
Eastern Ituri and North Kivu were among the hardest-hit areas. Uganda, Kenya and Nigeria have also reported cases. Uganda’s last case was confirmed in June.
By October 23, Kenya had reported nine cases and two deaths. Nigeria confirmed an imported case on October 20. The World Health Organization said the case involved a patient who had travelled from Uganda.
Containment remains difficult. About 80% of new cases in Congo were outside the groups of contacts being monitored. Roughly one-third of recorded deaths happened outside treatment centers, before patients were tested.
There is no approved vaccine for the Bundibugyo strain. There is no specific treatment for it. However, a vaccine trial has begun.