Confirmed cases of the Ebola virus in the Democratic Republic of Congo have surpassed 2,000, with at least 754 deaths recorded, according to government data released Tuesday. This marks what authorities describe as the fastest-growing Ebola outbreak on record.
As of the latest figures, the total number of confirmed cases stands at 2,011. Of these, 754 have been fatal. The Ministry of Health also reported that 753 individuals are currently in isolation or receiving treatment in hospitals, while 366 have recovered.
Contact tracing, a critical component in controlling the spread of the virus, remains a challenge, with coverage of those exposed at only 67%. The World Health Organization noted that approximately 80% of new cases are emerging from unknown chains of transmission, complicating efforts to contain the outbreak.
The Central African nation has been contending with this outbreak, caused by the Bundibugyo virus, since May 15. Despite an expanding response effort, the virus continues to spread at a rate that outpaces health officials' tracking capabilities. Two months into the outbreak, the ongoing challenges in tracing and containing the virus underscore the severity of the situation.