What we know about the deadly new Ebola outbreak in DR Congo
Summary
A new Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has killed about 90 people and infected around 350. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared it an international health emergency because there is no vaccine or specific treatment for this Ebola strain.Key Facts
- The outbreak is centered in Ituri province in northeastern DRC, near Uganda and South Sudan.
- Most infected people are between 20 and 39 years old, and over 60% are women.
- Violence and mining activities in the region make controlling the outbreak difficult.
- Cases have spread to Goma (a major city in DRC) and to Uganda, with one death reported there.
- The Ebola strain causing this outbreak is called Bundibugyo, which has no available vaccine or specific treatment.
- WHO declared this outbreak a public health emergency of international concern, a high-level alert.
- The last major Bundibugyo outbreaks were in Uganda (2007) and DRC (2012), with death rates of 30-50%.
- Monitoring and protective measures are being used to try to limit the virus's spread.
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