The death toll from the latest Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has risen to at least 930, with confirmed cases reaching 2,344 as of Saturday, according to the health ministry. In just 24 hours from Friday, 37 deaths were recorded—one of the highest daily increases since the outbreak was declared on May 15.

World Health Organization (WHO) chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warned that Ebola is spreading in the DRC faster than in any previous outbreak. He noted that the 2018-2020 outbreak took more than 10 months to reach 2,000 confirmed cases, while this time it took only two months. The WHO estimates the true tally could be at least double that.

“It is now the third-largest Ebola outbreak on record,” Tedros said. “In the past month, it has expanded faster than any previous outbreak.” The virus is concentrated in Ituri province, a mineral-rich northeastern region patrolled by several armed groups.

Cases have been detected in five DRC provinces and neighboring Uganda. While Uganda is now close to being “virus-free,” Tedros said, Ebola is spreading at an unprecedented rate in the DRC.

Compounding problems in Ituri, healthcare workers began a strike last week, blocking the entrance to Bunia General Hospital. Staff complained of receiving no compensation for their work since the outbreak began, despite treating patients in difficult and dangerous conditions.

Tedros highlighted that more than 80% of new cases are being detected “outside known contact lists, showing that transmission chains are still being missed.” The health ministry said 724 patients are currently in isolation and response efforts are being intensified in affected areas.

Source: www.aljazeera.com