DR Congo Ebola outbreak spreads to sixth province, nears deadliest toll

The Ebola outbreak in eastern DR Congo has reached a sixth province and is on track to surpass the deadliest one in history, which killed over 11,000 people, the World Health Organisation said Wednesday. The rare Bundibugyo virus has no approved vaccines or treatments. The outbreak has killed over 2,100 people out of more than 4,500 cases, according to latest government figures, reaching this death toll almost three times faster than the 2014-16 West Africa outbreak. It is unfolding amid health worker strikes, rebel threats, community distrust, and misinformation. The real scope remains unknown, as sequencing shows it began in February, months before its May 15 declaration. Health authorities report 60-70% of new cases occur outside monitored contacts, with the disease spreading at an alarming rate. Clinical trials of two possible treatments began last month in Ituri province.