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Why Ebola outbreak in Congo is recording so many cases and deaths
AP News • • general
Key Points:
- The Ebola outbreak in Congo is spreading at an unprecedented rate and has not yet peaked, with current cases potentially three times higher than reported, according to Africa CDC and WHO data.
- This outbreak is the fastest in history, with 2,516 deaths out of 5,290 confirmed cases so far, and is on track to surpass the 2014-2016 West Africa Ebola outbreak in both cases and fatalities.
- Contact tracing is severely lacking, with only 16% of expected contacts identified and followed, hampering efforts to control the spread amid a highly mobile and distrustful population.
- The outbreak, caused by the Bundibugyo virus which lacks approved vaccines or treatments, has expanded to 56 health zones across six provinces, including newly affected areas like Bas-Uele province.
- A significant majority of deaths occur outside treatment centers, with 97% of recent deaths reported in the community, highlighting challenges in healthcare access and community engagement.
