An Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has killed 3,901 people and infected 8,067 since May, government data showed Monday, making it the country’s largest and deadliest recorded outbreak.
The latest situation report from the country’s public health institute showed the figures as of Sept. 26. The outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo species of Ebola virus.
The outbreak has surpassed Congo’s 2018-2020 epidemic and is now the second-largest Ebola outbreak recorded globally, behind the 2014-2016 West Africa epidemic, which infected more than 28,600 people and killed more than 11,000, according to Reuters.
The disease has spread across seven provinces and 63 health zones, with persistent community transmission reported in several areas. Earlier, UK health authorities said cases had been reported in Ituri, North Kivu, South Kivu, South Ubangi, Haut-Uele, Bas-Uele and Tshopo.
Health authorities are continuing surveillance, contact tracing, patient care and vaccination efforts to contain transmission. The World Health Organisation has described the risk as very high within Congo.
