The deadliest ever Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has now claimed the lives of more than 3,000 people, according to the latest official toll released on Wednesday.
The current outbreak originated in the remote northeastern province of Ituri and is caused by the Bundibugyo strain, for which there is currently no approved vaccine or treatment. The health response lacks sufficient resources and has been overwhelmed by the surge in cases, while there has been widespread mistrust in parts of the community. Several treatments and vaccines are being tested against the Bundibugyo strain. Approved vaccines are only effective against the Zaire strain, which is responsible for the largest-known Ebola outbreak to date. The World Health Organization has in the meantime recommended the implementation of a phase three clinical trial using the Ervebo vaccine deployed against the Zaire strain.
The epidemic, which has hit the conflict-hit east and northeast of the country, has caused 3,007 deaths and infected 6,186 people, the Congolese National Institute of Public Health said. The worst outbreak previously recorded in DR Congo left nearly 2,300 people dead from 3,500 reported cases between 2018 and 2020.
