Middle east: Democratic Republic of Congo The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has become the deadliest in the country's history, with 2,325 fatalities reported, surpassing the previous record set during the 2018-2020 outbreak. Confirmed cases have surged to 4,945, with 101 new cases detected in the last 24 hours, as per the latest report from Congo's public health institute.According to France24.com, the current outbreak, Congo's 17th, had already been the largest in terms of cases since late July. This marks a significant increase, as the total deaths have now exceeded the 2,299 fatalities recorded during the 2018-2020 outbreak, which was previously the deadliest on record in the country.The Bundibugyo species of the Ebola virus is responsible for the current outbreak, with no approved vaccines or treatments available. Since its declaration on May 15, the outbreak has gained momentum due to weak healthcare infrastructure, community resistance, and instability, which have hindered effo rts to identify and respond to cases effectively.The case fatality ratio, which represents the proportion of deaths following a confirmed infection, has risen from about 20% in early June to 46%, according to government data. This means nearly one in every two confirmed cases results in death. Experts suggest that this trend highlights ongoing issues in surveillance, case detection, and access to care, rather than an increase in the virus's lethality.Thomas Parisch, a public health specialist with Médecins Sans Frontières, noted, "Normally, as an outbreak progresses, the case fatality ratio should fall as contact tracing improves and patients are identified and treated earlier. Instead, we're still seeing many cases detected very late, when treatment is less likely to succeed, with many identified only after they die in the community."A limited number of experimental vaccines and therapies are being evaluated, while global health authorities assess whether existing Ebola treatments could offer protecti on. However, current evidence is mostly limited to animal studies.Earlier, the outbreak spread to neighboring Uganda, where authorities managed to limit the impact to two deaths and 20 confirmed cases before declaring the outbreak's end in that country last month. Ebola transmission occurs through direct contact with the bodily fluids of infected individuals, either living or dead, and can result in symptoms such as fever, vomiting, diarrhea, and in severe cases, internal and external bleeding.
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