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Congo Ebola death toll tops 1,400 as vaccine trials start
DW.com • • health
Key Points:
- The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has reached 3,200 confirmed infections, with 1,405 deaths and a fatality rate of 43.9% since late April.
- Nearly 90% of cases are concentrated in the northeastern Ituri province, near Uganda and South Sudan, though experts believe actual infections may be underreported.
- The outbreak has spread to five provinces and could persist for several months, with health worker strikes over unpaid wages hindering response efforts.
- The current epidemic is caused by the rare Bundibugyo Ebola strain, for which no approved vaccine or specific treatment exists, but experimental vaccines and treatments are under development.
- Ebola transmits through direct contact with bodily fluids and has caused over 15,000 deaths in Africa over the past 50 years.
