Ebola deaths in Congo pass 5,000 as outbreak reaches other African countries

More than 5,000 people have now died in the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, according to government figures reported by PBS NewsHour, which carried an Associated Press report, and by BBC News.

Congo's Health Ministry recorded 5,026 deaths among 10,351 infections, a fatality rate near 50%, PBS NewsHour reported. The BBC put the rate at 48.6%. According to PBS NewsHour, 2,788 people have recovered.

The outbreak, caused by the Bundibugyo virus, was declared in May. There is no approved vaccine or treatment for this strain. The BBC reported that clinical trials of vaccines are under way, and PBS NewsHour said health workers treat patients' symptoms.

It is the second-deadliest Ebola outbreak on record. Only the 2014–2016 West Africa epidemic killed more people. PBS NewsHour put that toll at 11,000, while the BBC, citing the WHO, reported more than 11,325. The BBC also reported that the current outbreak became Congo's deadliest in August, surpassing the 2,299 deaths recorded in 2018–2020.

"It is a very tragic milestone because it is just not a number," said Dr. Patrick Otim of the World Health Organization, as quoted by PBS NewsHour.

The disease has reached eight of Congo's 26 provinces. PBS NewsHour reported that 67 of 178 health zones have been affected. Ituri and North Kivu in the east are the hardest hit, with 9,782 confirmed cases and 4,792 deaths.

Tracking the spread remains difficult. PBS NewsHour cited the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as saying about 80% of new cases come from people outside known contact lists. Otim said about one-third of deaths happen outside treatment centers, before patients are tested.

The response has been hampered by armed conflict in eastern Congo and by attacks on health workers. Both outlets reported that a nurse was killed recently while responding to an Ebola alert. The BBC, citing Radio Okapi, said local youths had accused the health workers of contaminating water sources. A politician who promoted health measures was also killed; PBS NewsHour said this happened in September.

Unpaid wages have led to strikes at treatment centers, PBS NewsHour reported. On Friday, staff at a center in Tchomia, in Ituri, stopped work and demanded four months of back pay. "We are tired of requesting our salaries," striking worker Moise Mugenyi told the AP.

Cases have also been confirmed in Uganda, Kenya and Nigeria. The outlets gave different figures for Kenya: PBS NewsHour reported eight cases and two deaths, while the BBC reported nine cases and two deaths.

Nigeria's one confirmed patient was flown to Switzerland for treatment. The BBC reported that two more suspected cases were isolated in Nigeria on Saturday. According to the BBC, Uganda has reported no new cases since August.

Compiled by True News from reporting by PBS NewsHour and BBC News. Each outlet's original story is linked below.

Originally published by True News: https://truenews.bagleyenterprises.net/stories/660