Ebola cases in DR Congo surpass 10,000 in fastest-growing outbreak

The Democratic Republic of the Congo has recorded 10,060 confirmed Ebola cases and 4,887 deaths, according to government data released on October 27. Caused by the rare Bundibugyo virus and declared on May 15, the outbreak is the fastest-growing and deadliest in the country’s history; about 80 percent of new cases are outside monitored transmission chains. Cases have been recorded in 66 health zones across eight provinces, while some treatment centres are overwhelmed and remote areas lack medical supplies and health workers. The WHO has announced the launch of the first clinical trial of a vaccine for the strain, for which no vaccine or treatment has been approved.