Lead

The death toll from the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has surpassed 500, according to figures from the World Health Organization (WHO). The latest data, released on Monday, show at least 506 confirmed deaths and 1,561 confirmed cases in the country since the outbreak was declared in mid-May. The outbreak is caused by the rare Bundibugyo virus, for which there is currently no approved vaccine or treatment.

Coverage Comparison

Reporting from Al Jazeera and France 24 presents a consistent picture of the outbreak's severity, though figures vary between reports. Al Jazeera, citing a WHO situation report dated July 4, reported 506 deaths and 1,561 confirmed cases in the DR Congo, with a case fatality rate of 32 percent. France 24 also reported these figures in one account, but a later report stated the death toll had reached 600, with 1,759 confirmed cases and a case fatality rate of 34 percent. This later report noted that the milestone of 500 deaths had been surpassed only three days before, suggesting a rapid escalation.

Both outlets report the spread of the outbreak to neighbouring Uganda, where two deaths and 20 confirmed cases have been recorded. France 24 also noted that in Uganda, 16 or 17 patients have recovered out of the 20 confirmed cases, though this figure differs slightly between its reports.

Key Claims

  • The DR Congo's 17th Ebola epidemic is fuelled by the Bundibugyo virus, with no existing vaccine or approved treatment options, as reported by Al Jazeera and France 24.
  • The death toll from the Ebola outbreak in the DR Congo has risen above 500, according to WHO data reported by both outlets.
  • At least 506 deaths and 1,561 confirmed Ebola cases have been recorded in the DR Congo, as reported by Al Jazeera and France 24.
  • Two deaths and 20 confirmed cases have been recorded in neighbouring Uganda, according to both outlets.
  • A clinical trial involving two treatments for the Bundibugyo virus began on Thursday, as reported by Al Jazeera and France 24. The trial is evaluating the safety and effectiveness of the monoclonal antibody MBP134 and the antiviral drug remdesivir, alone and in combination, according to Al Jazeera.
  • The case fatality rate of the outbreak in the DR Congo is reported as 32 percent by Al Jazeera and one France 24 report, but as 34 percent in a later France 24 report.
  • The number of recovered patients is reported as 254 by Al Jazeera and one France 24 report, but as 285 in a later France 24 report.
  • The number of suspected cases under investigation is reported as 354 by Al Jazeera and one France 24 report, but as 304 in a later France 24 report.
  • Health workers in Ituri province, the epicentre of the outbreak, have threatened strike action over low wages and poor working conditions, as reported by Al Jazeera. According to Al Jazeera, the workers issued a 24-hour notice on Sunday, saying they had not been paid benefits since the outbreak began and lacked adequate supplies.
  • The outbreak has expanded to new areas, including Kisangani in the Tshopo province, according to a later France 24 report. The report cited the Congolese government's latest report, which said two new suspected cases were recorded in Kisangani, where cases had not previously been seen.
The WHO has granted emergency use authorisation for the first molecular diagnostic test for the virus, according to Al Jazeera. Officials have yet to identify the outbreak's patient zero and still need to trace possibly tens of thousands of people who have come into contact with infected individuals, Al Jazeera reported.

France 24 quoted Anne Ancia, the WHO's representative in the DRC, as saying on Tuesday: "The outbreak continues to expand, and its true scale has not yet been fully established."