Ebola epidemic in Congo: Over 5,000 confirmed cases and a mortality rate of 47.4%

In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Ebola epidemic has reached an alarming number of 5,021 confirmed cases, according to the WHO Regional Office for Africa.

Since May, 2,378 patients have died, representing a mortality rate of 47.4%. Over 1,000 people have recovered, but the outbreak, declared in mid-May, is the 17th recorded in this country. WHO and CDC Africa warn that the actual number of infections could be much higher, and the outbreak may have started as early as February.

The majority of deaths have occurred in communities, not in hospitals, complicating the control of the epidemic. The strain involved, Bundibugyo, has no vaccine or specific treatment, and authorities are investigating possible mutations of the virus. Clinical studies for antiviral treatments are underway.