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Ebola Outbreak Is Now the Second-Deadliest Ever, and in Record Time
The New York Times • • general
Key Points:
- The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has become the second-worst on record, with a death toll of 1,521 in under three months, spreading much faster than previous outbreaks.
- The current outbreak, caused by the Bundibugyo species, has resulted in over five times more deaths in the same timeframe compared to past outbreaks, according to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.
- The 2018-2020 outbreak took more than 10 months to reach a similar death toll, highlighting the increased severity and rapid spread of the current crisis.
- Officials warn that the outbreak could surpass the 2014-2016 West Africa Ebola epidemic, which killed more than 11,000 people, as the situation remains uncontrolled.
- Neighboring Uganda declared an end to its related Bundibugyo outbreak after four weeks without new cases, reporting 20 cases and three deaths.
