Ebola death toll rises to 3,699 in DR Congo as response continues

The toll from an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has climbed to 3,699 as health authorities work to contain the disease, which is spreading rapidly.

The outbreak, caused by the Bundibugyo virus, has spread to several provinces and Ituri remains the main epicentre. As part of efforts to strengthen the response, the Congo started vaccinating frontline health workers in Ituri on Saturday.

The vaccination campaign is employing the Ervebo vaccine, approved for a different strain of Ebola virus, under a compassionate-use programme. The Associated Press reported that clinical trials are under way to see if it can protect against the Bundibugyo virus, for which there is currently no licensed vaccine or treatment.

As of Sept. The Congo has reported 7,541 confirmed cases and 3,639 deaths, the government said on Oct. 19. The latest reported toll brings the death toll to 3,699.

The World Health Organisation has described the outbreak as out of control and warned it could surpass the 2014-16 West Africa Ebola outbreak, which killed more than 11,000 people.

The response has been complicated by insecurity, population displacement and heavy population movement, as well as a health workers’ strike.