The Democratic Republic of Congo’s Ebola outbreak has become the fastest-spreading on record, with confirmed deaths surging past 600 in just eight weeks as health authorities scramble to contain a haemorrhagic fever that has defied containment efforts.

The World Health Organization reported 600 fatalities among 1,759 confirmed cases since the outbreak was declared on 15 May, a case fatality rate of 34%. The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) described the escalation as “the fastest-growing Ebola outbreak ever,” surpassing even previous Bundibugyo virus strains. “This is the fastest-growing Ebola outbreak ever, not only among the previous Bundibugyo outbreaks, but all the different viruses that are causing Ebola,” said Dr Wessam Mankoula, Africa CDC’s head of emergency preparedness and response .

The crisis has expanded into new territory, with two suspected cases reported in Kisangani, Tshopo province—a region previously untouched by the outbreak. One case traces back to Ituri’s Nia-Nia health zone, where the first infections emerged, while the second has no clear epidemiological link, prompting urgent investigations. “The outbreak continues to expand, and its true scale has not yet been fully established,” warned Anne Ancia, WHO’s representative in the DRC .

Healthcare capacity is collapsing under the strain. Treatment beds are 95% occupied, and delays in case detection—often exceeding 72 hours—are exacerbating transmission. Africa CDC noted that while daily testing capacity has reached 2,000, regional disparities and logistical bottlenecks persist. “Neither vaccine nor specific therapy exists for the Bundibugyo strain driving this outbreak,” Africa CDC stated, though clinical trials for two antiviral treatments began last week .

Neighbouring Uganda has reported 20 cases linked to the DRC outbreak, with 17 recoveries and two deaths. The contrast underscores the uneven battle: Uganda’s swift response contrasts with the DRC’s overwhelmed systems. “The example of Uganda shows that controlling Ebola is possible,” Africa CDC acknowledged .

The WHO has warned that surveillance remains insufficient, with 304 suspected cases still under investigation. The agency cautioned that the outbreak could persist for months, with the risk of further spread within and beyond the DRC’s borders. “The speed of its diffusion is unprecedented,” the Africa CDC emphasised .

International agencies are urging accelerated action, including enhanced contact tracing and community engagement. Yet the absence of targeted medical countermeasures for the Bundibugyo strain leaves health workers reliant on containment alone—a strategy increasingly strained by the outbreak’s relentless pace.

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Congo Ebola response workers protest that they have not been properly paid reut.rs/4vhwUxF

bluesky_Reuters · 5 days ago

DR Congos Ebola outbreak death toll climbs to 600 The number of confirmed deaths in the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has risen to 600, figures published by the UN health agency showed Thursday. The WHOs figures show the worsening haemorrhagic fever outbreak has a case fatality rate of 34 percent. 👉 Read more:

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Africa CDC warns of fastest-growing Ebola outbreak ever as DR Congo death toll climbs to 600 The number of confirmed deaths in the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has risen to 600, figures published by the UN health agency showed Thursday. The WHOs figures show the worsening haemorrhagic fever outbreak has a case fatality rate of 34 percent.

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⚠️ The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has now claimed 600 lives, figures published by the World Health Organization showed Thursday -- only three days after the figure topped 500 [1/2] ➡️ u.afp.com/SKbU

bluesky_AFP English · 5 days ago

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