Congo Ebola outbreak kills more than 2,300, becoming deadliest in country

The Democratic Republic of Congo’s 17th Ebola outbreak has reached 4,945 confirmed cases and 2,325 deaths, according to government data released Monday. The epidemic, driven by the Bundibugyo strain, has become the deadliest and fastest-growing outbreak in the country, surpassing the 2018-2020 episode that caused 2,299 deaths.

Health authorities reported 101 new infections and 33 additional deaths in the previous 24 hours. More than 1,000 patients have recovered, while 730 remain in hospitals or isolation units.

"The community needs to be aware about the outbreak. People need to be involved in the response, and they need to know what the signs and symptoms are and what to do if they get sick," said Trish Newport, emergency coordinator for Doctors Without Borders, speaking to the Associated Press.

Newport added that some families in Ituri province have lost up to 15 relatives and emphasized the need to scale up response efforts to prevent further fatalities.

The World Health Organization warned that the outbreak is moving at an "exceptional pace" and noted a weekly record of 579 cases and 304 deaths in the prior week. WHO said a substantial scaling up of response activities is underway.

UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher announced an additional $30.5 million in funding and the deployment of 20 more staff to support frontline operations.

Challenges to containment include unpaid health-worker strikes, threats from rebel groups, difficult road conditions, and misinformation about the disease. Trials for vaccines and treatments targeting the Bundibugyo virus are ongoing in Ituri.