Congo's Ebola death toll passes 5,000

The death toll from the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which began in May, has passed 5,000. A report released on October 31 by the country's presidential Ebola task force recorded 10,351 confirmed cases and 5,026 deaths (AP, BBC).

Key figures

• The latest report added 77 new confirmed cases and 34 deaths.
• The case fatality rate is 48.6%.
• 1,101 patients are currently in treatment and isolation centers, and 2,788 people have recovered.
• The outbreak has reached eight of the country's 26 provinces and 67 of its 178 health zones.
• Ituri province, the epicenter, accounts for 71% of all confirmed cases.

No licensed vaccine

The outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo species of the Ebola virus, for which no vaccine has been licensed. The Ervebo vaccine, used in earlier outbreaks of the Zaire species, has recently been deployed to protect frontline health and response workers.

Risk of spread

Cases linked to the outbreak have been reported in Uganda, Kenya and France, and several African countries have stepped up surveillance and preparedness since a case was detected in Nigeria. Insecurity in the east has hampered health workers, and response teams in some areas have faced threats and attacks. The World Health Organization has repeatedly called for more funding.

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