Ebola outbreak in DR Congo accelerates sharply — half of 2,500 deaths occurred in last 20 days
More than 2,500 people have died from Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo over three months, with half of those deaths occurring in just the last 20 days. The UN warns the virus is now spreading exponentially and aid services are overwhelmed.
The Democratic Republic of Congo is battling its 17th and now largest Ebola outbreak on record. Over three months, the death toll has surpassed 2,500, but the most alarming trend is the pace of spread — half of all recorded deaths occurred within just the past 20 days. United Nations officials warn the virus is now spreading exponentially, and relief services can no longer keep pace.
The area affected by the outbreak already exceeds the size of France. Complicating the response is the fact that this outbreak was caused by the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus, for which no approved vaccine or targeted treatment currently exists.
Health workers hit hard
Medical staff have been especially hard hit, with at least 160 health workers infected and 43 of them dead. The outbreak is unfolding in regions where armed conflict has persisted for decades, severely limiting access to healthcare. The response is further hampered by fear and hostility among local communities toward medical personnel — over the past six months, more than 260 attacks on health workers have been recorded, killing eight of them. Ambulances and medical facilities have also come under attack.
Urgent support needed
Jean Harneis, the UN's Ebola response coordinator, says containing the outbreak urgently requires more personnel and funding, particularly to deliver aid to remote areas. He noted that current funds allocated to fighting the epidemic could run out within weeks.
If the spread cannot be slowed, the UN fears Ebola could reach new regions of DR Congo, with a risk it could also spread to neighboring countries.
