Ebola death toll in Congo surges to at least 930

The death toll in Congo’s Ebola outbreak has risen to at least 930, the country’s ministry of health said on Monday, with 37 new deaths reported in a 24-hour span Friday into Saturday, one of the highest totals.

The deaths were recorded out of the 2,344 cases confirmed by Saturday, the health ministry said.

The Ebola outbreak that was declared in eastern Congo on May 15 is the fastest-growing Ebola outbreak on record. The Bundibugyo virus responsible is less common than others that cause Ebola disease, and there is no approved vaccine or treatment.

Ebola is highly contagious and can be transmitted to people from wild animals. It spreads in the human population through contact with bodily fluids such as vomit, blood or semen, and with contaminated surfaces and materials such as bedding and clothing. The disease is rare but severe and often fatal.

The surge in deaths comes as safety fears have restricted the response in the worst-affected province of Ituri. A total of five provinces have been affected, all in the eastern region where rebel violence is rampant.

At least 12 attacks — mostly fuelled by scepticism and rumors — have been recorded against health facilities and teams since the outbreak was declared in mid-May, authorities said on Saturday. Many health workers have walked off their jobs as they protest lack of payment.

At least 36 health workers infected with the virus have died.

The World Health Organisation last week expressed concerns that 80% of new Ebola cases were emerging from unknown chains of transmission, a sign the outbreak is spreading faster than health officials can track despite an expanding response.

In the more than two months since the outbreak started, there was an average increase of about 272 cases and 111 deaths per week, according to data from Congo’s health ministry. The data also shows that the weekly increases accelerated over time, particularly in July, when both reported cases and deaths rose more rapidly than in the earlier weeks.

The ministry’s latest update said that 724 patients were currently in isolation and in hospitals, and that it was intensifying response efforts in affected health zones.

“Patient care and support capacities are consolidating, with 22 new recoveries recorded in 24 hours,” the ministry said.

Associated Press