Key facts
- The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has surpassed 5,000 cases and 2,378 deaths.
- The World Health Organization believes the outbreak can be controlled within three months with sufficient resources.
- The WHO chief stated the epidemic is far from being under control.
- The outbreak is spreading at an unprecedented speed, outpacing response efforts.
- Attacks on health workers and facilities are hindering response efforts.
The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has reached 5,021 cases, including 2,378 deaths, government data showed. Responders warn the outbreak is spreading at an unprecedented speed, outpacing efforts to slow it in one of the country’s remotest regions. The World Health Organization believes the outbreak can still be controlled within three months with sufficient resources, but WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated the epidemic is “far from being under control.” The current outbreak, the 17th in DRC history, has affected six provinces and is spreading about three times faster than the 2014-16 West Africa outbreak. Safety concerns have limited the response, with health workers being targeted, particularly in Ituri province, the worst-hit region. Residents in Aru attacked a health team on Monday, setting fire to an ambulance and damaging two other vehicles.