Congo's Ebola outbreak tops 2,000 cases, kills 754 in fastest-growing surge

The Democratic Republic of Congo’s Ebola outbreak has surpassed 2,000 confirmed cases, with 754 deaths, according to the Ministry of Health. Fuelled by the rare Bundibugyo strain, the outbreak has become the fastest-growing on record, with health authorities warning that transmission is outpacing efforts to contain it.According to AP, government data released overnight showed 2,011 confirmed infections, with 753 people currently in isolation or receiving hospital treatment, while 366 patients have recovered.The outbreak, caused by the rare Bundibugyo virus, was officially declared on May 15 after weeks of undetected transmission, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).Earlier, the World Health Organisation said that at least 80 per cent of new infections are emerging from unknown chains of transmission, making it increasingly difficult for health authorities to contain the disease. Contact tracing coverage currently stands at 67 per cent, according to the Health Ministry.Congolese health authorities said suspected Ebola cases have now been reported in the provinces of Tshopo and Haut-Uele, indicating that the virus has spread beyond its original epicentre in Ituri.Response efforts remain under pressure, with health officials citing funding shortages, attacks on healthcare facilities and ongoing conflict in eastern Congo as major obstacles to containing the outbreak.Hope, however, lies in new treatment trials. Clinical trials for potential therapies began earlier this month against the rare Bundibugyo strain, which currently has no approved vaccine or treatment.