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The death toll from the latest Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has risen to at least 930, with health authorities warning that the virus is spreading faster than ever before.
According to the DRC Health Ministry, confirmed Ebola cases have reached 2,344 as of Saturday, with 37 deaths recorded within a single day from Friday — one of the highest daily increases since the outbreak was declared on May 15.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has described the outbreak as the fastest-spreading Ebola crisis recorded in the country. WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the previous 2018–2020 outbreak took more than 10 months to reach 2,000 confirmed cases, while the current outbreak reached the same figure in just two months.
He warned that the actual number of infections could be significantly higher, adding that more than 80 percent of new cases are being identified outside known contact lists, suggesting that many transmission chains remain undetected.
The outbreak, which began in Ituri Province in northeastern DRC, has now spread to five provinces and neighbouring Uganda. While Uganda is nearing the stage of being declared free of the virus, WHO says the situation in the DRC remains a major concern.
The response has also faced challenges in Ituri, where healthcare workers recently began a strike over unpaid compensation despite working under dangerous conditions. The strike affected operations at Bunia General Hospital.
The Health Ministry says 724 patients are currently receiving care in isolation centres, while response teams continue efforts to contain the outbreak. It also reported 22 new recoveries within 24 hours as treatment and support services are being strengthened.
Story by Efua Nessa