Congo Ebola outbreak: Death toll surpasses 1,400 as vaccine trials begin

The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has continued to spread, with the number of confirmed infections rising to 3,200, according to government data. The country's health authorities report that 1,405 people have died from the virus since the outbreak began in late April, with the current fatality rate standing at 43.9%.

Coverage comparison

Reporting from Al Jazeera and Deutsche Welle highlights the rapid escalation of the outbreak. Al Jazeera's coverage emphasizes a surge in cases, noting that infections have risen by about 1,000 in just 10 days, and quotes experts who describe the virus as spreading "like a wildfire." Deutsche Welle provides a more measured account, focusing on the rising number of confirmed infections and the ongoing challenges in containing the epidemic.

Both outlets agree on the core statistics: 3,200 confirmed infections, 1,405 deaths, and the declaration of the outbreak on May 15. They also note that nearly 90% of cases have been detected in the northeastern province of Ituri, near the borders with Uganda and South Sudan, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). The outbreak has spread to five provinces in the country's conflict-scarred east, including two new provinces where it has recently appeared.

Key claims

  • The number of confirmed infections from the Ebola outbreak in the DRC has risen to 3,200, with 1,405 deaths reported.
  • The current fatality rate of the outbreak stands at 43.9%, as reported by Deutsche Welle.
  • Almost 90% of cases have been detected in the northeastern province of Ituri, according to the WHO, as reported by both Al Jazeera and Deutsche Welle.
  • The outbreak was declared on May 15 and is caused by the rare Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus, for which there is no approved vaccine or specific treatment.
  • Oxford University is developing an experimental vaccine designed specifically to protect against Bundibugyo Ebola, and the first volunteer has received the vaccine, as reported by both outlets.
  • More than 15,000 people have died from Ebola in Africa over the past 50 years.
  • One thousand new cases have been reported in just 10 days, a figure carried by Al Jazeera.
  • The UN Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS) is involved in the response, flying medics and response teams to crisis front lines, as reported by Al Jazeera.
Experts believe that the actual number of cases may be much higher, with many going undetected or unreported. However, authorities attribute part of the sharp increase to improved detection and expanded testing. The outbreak could last several more months, and strikes by healthcare workers demanding unpaid wages have disrupted response efforts in some hospitals.

Ebola spreads through direct contact with the bodily fluids of an infected person and can cause severe hemorrhagic fever. Scientists are racing to develop vaccines and treatments against the Bundibugyo strain, with several vaccine candidates due to undergo accelerated clinical trials and researchers also developing two potential treatments.