KINSHASA, Democratic Republic of Congo — More than 5,000 Ebola cases have been confirmed in the Democratic Republic of Congo, with 2,378 deaths recorded in the country’s worst outbreak, according to the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The Africa CDC reported Wednesday that the current outbreak has reached 5,021 confirmed cases since health authorities declared it on May 15. The virus is believed to have circulated for several weeks before authorities officially identified the outbreak.
The outbreak has affected northern and eastern regions where limited state presence, weak health infrastructure and armed groups have complicated efforts to contain the virus.
The current outbreak has already surpassed the DRC’s previous deadliest Ebola outbreak, which occurred from 2018 to 2020 and killed 2,299 people among 3,381 confirmed cases, according to World Health Organization data based on Congolese figures.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warned Tuesday that the outbreak remained uncontrolled and posed a risk of further spread.
“The epidemic is far from being under control,” Tedros said, adding that the risk of national and international transmission remained high.
Ebola has killed more than 15,000 people in Africa over the past five decades.
The current outbreak involves the Bundibugyo virus, a strain for which no approved vaccine or specific treatment exists. Clinical trials are underway.
Health authorities have also faced resistance to testing and other response measures in some communities, hindering efforts to monitor and contain the virus.
“The difficulties persist, including refusals of testing and resistance in some communities, which hinders surveillance and control activities,” the Africa CDC said.
The WHO said efforts to expand the response and reach affected communities were continuing. The European Union also announced Tuesday that it would provide testing kits worth 2.5 million euros, or about $2.9 million.
