The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has been declared the fastest growing ever by African health authorities, with the World Health Organization (WHO) reporting 600 confirmed deaths.
Unprecedented Growth Rate
Updated figures from the WHO show 1,759 confirmed cases since the outbreak was declared in mid-May. Wessam Mankoula, head of emergency preparedness and response for the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), stated, "This is the fastest growing Ebola outbreak ever, not only among the previous Bundibugyo outbreaks, but all the different viruses that are causing Ebola."
Impact and Response
The outbreak, centered in North Kivu and Ituri provinces, has overwhelmed local health systems. The Africa CDC and WHO are collaborating on containment efforts, including vaccination campaigns and community engagement. However, insecurity and community mistrust have hampered response activities.
