Congo Ebola Outbreak Death Toll Passes 5,000 with Near 50% Fatality Rate

The Congolese Ministry of Health said on Saturday that the current Ebola outbreak has resulted in 5,026 deaths out of 10,351 confirmed cases, a case-fatality rate close to 50%. The outbreak, caused by the Bundibugyo strain, was first declared in mid-May and has since spread to 67 of the country's 178 health zones across eight provinces, with active cases in 50 of those zones.

Health officials noted that about one-third of the fatalities occurred outside treatment centers before patients could be tested, a factor that may increase community transmission. Nearly 3,000 patients have recovered so far.

The epidemic is the second deadliest Ebola event in history, trailing only the 2014-2016 West Africa outbreak that claimed around 11,000 lives. There is currently no approved vaccine or specific treatment for the Bundibugyo virus; care is limited to symptom management.

Experts expressed concern about the capacity of authorities to contain the spread, given the rapid expansion of cases and the challenges of reaching affected communities.