DRC faces deadly Ebola outbreak with no available vaccine
A new Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has resulted in dozens of deaths and is causing serious concern among health officials. The Bundibugyo strain, which currently has no vaccine or specific treatment, is responsible for the surge in fatalities. Officials warn of a high risk of spread, especially due to cross-border movements in the affected region. The outbreak has already impacted neighboring Uganda, highlighting the urgency of the situation.
What we know
- Samuel-Roger Kamba, the DRC health minister, confirmed the Bundibugyo strain has no vaccine or specific treatment and a lethality rate that can reach 50 per cent.
- The death toll has reached 80, up from 65 the previous day, according to ministry officials.
- A 59-year-old DRC national died in Uganda after being admitted earlier in the week; tests confirmed infection with the Bundibugyo strain.
- The latest outbreak was confirmed in Ituri province, northeastern DRC, bordering Uganda and South Sudan, according to CDC Africa.
- The World Health Organisation is preparing to airlift infection prevention gear to Kinshasa due to concerns about the scale of transmission.
