Congo reports 930 deaths as Ebola outbreak claims nearly a thousand lives
The Congo Ministry of Health said 930 people have died out of 2,344 confirmed Ebola cases, with 37 new deaths recorded in a 24-hour period, as the outbreak spreads across five eastern provinces.
At least 930 people have died from Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the health ministry reported Monday, bringing the death toll to roughly 40% of the 2,344 confirmed cases recorded as of Saturday. The latest update added 37 deaths recorded over a 24-hour span from Friday into Saturday, one of the highest daily totals since the outbreak began.
The epidemic, declared on May 15 in the eastern part of the country, is caused by the Bundibugyo strain of the virus, which has no approved vaccine or specific treatment. Health officials said the disease spreads through contact with bodily fluids and contaminated materials.
Security concerns have hampered response efforts, particularly in Ituri province, where attacks on health facilities and teams have been reported. Authorities noted at least 12 incidents targeting health workers since the outbreak was declared, and many staff have stopped working over unpaid wages. The ministry said 36 health workers have died after contracting the virus.
The World Health Organization warned that about 80% of new cases are linked to unknown transmission chains, indicating that the outbreak is outpacing tracking capabilities. Currently, 724 patients are in isolation or hospital care, and the ministry said response measures are being intensified in the affected zones.
"Patient care and support capacities are consolidating, with 22 new recoveries recorded in 24 hours," the ministry said.