DR Congo Ebola Outbreak Becomes Second-Most Lethal in History

The ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has reached 4,945 confirmed cases and 2,325 deaths, making it the second-most lethal epidemic on record.

Health officials report the virus is spreading five times faster than previous outbreaks, with the case fatality rate rising from 20% in early June to 47% by mid-August.

Unlike the Zaire species seen in 2018-2020, this outbreak involves the Bundibugyo species, for which there is currently no licensed vaccine or proven treatment available.