The fastest-growing Ebola outbreak in history has killed more than 1,500 people in eastern Congo so far. According to official data released by the Congolese government today, the death toll has risen by 50 per cent in about a week, indicating that the outbreak continues to outpace response efforts. The latest update shows that, as of Tuesday, 3,442 cases have been recorded in the current outbreak, and 1,521 people have died.
The outbreak, declared on 15th of May, is unlike most previous Ebola outbreaks because the Bundibugyo virus responsible for it has no approved vaccines or treatments. It has also claimed more lives at a faster rate than any previous Ebola outbreak, including the 2014-2016 epidemic, which was considered the deadliest on record, with more than 11,000 deaths among at least 28,000 cases. That outbreak took about eight months to reach 1,000 deaths.
Ebola is a rare but highly contagious disease that spreads through contact with infected bodily fluids such as vomit, blood, or semen. The illness it causes is severe and is often fatal.
