The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has surpassed 6,000 confirmed infections, marking a grim new milestone as authorities struggle to contain the rapidly expanding epidemic.
Government figures released on Monday show that confirmed infections have climbed to 6,041, while 2,911 people have died.
The outbreak has become the largest in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s history, surpassing the devastating epidemic that affected the country between 2018 and 2020.
The current epidemic is caused by the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, a rare form of the virus for which there are currently no specifically approved vaccines or treatments.
Health authorities and emergency response teams are operating across six affected provinces, with particular attention being given to Ituri, North Kivu and Haut-Uele, where transmission remains a major concern.
More than 1,300 people have recovered from the disease, but hundreds of patients remain in isolation or receiving hospital treatment.
The rapid increase in infections and the geographical expansion of the outbreak have intensified concerns over authorities’ ability to bring transmission under control.
Response teams continue working to identify infections, isolate patients and prevent further transmission as the country confronts one of the most serious public health emergencies in its recent history.
