The latest Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has spread to a sixth province, after a death was recorded in Bas-Uele, according to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.
The agency’s Director-General, Jean Kaseya, said the victim died in Buta, the provincial capital, after travelling from neighbouring Haut-Uele Province.
The outbreak, which began in northeastern Ituri Province, has now been reported in Ituri, North Kivu, South Kivu, Haut-Uele, Tshopo and Bas-Uele.
Government figures indicate that 2,128 people have died out of 4,566 recorded cases, while the World Health Organisation (WHO) says the outbreak is spreading faster than any previous Ebola outbreak.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warned that, at its current pace, the outbreak could surpass the deadliest Ebola epidemic on record, which killed more than 11,000 people over a decade ago.
The current outbreak was formally declared on May 15, although health officials said the virus had been circulating since February.
The outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, for which there are currently no approved vaccines or treatments. However, clinical trials of two potential treatments have begun, while two vaccines specifically developed against the strain are being tested in humans.
Health authorities are intensifying efforts to contain the outbreak and prevent further spread within the DRC and to neighbouring countries.
