Ebola outbreak in Congo could become deadliest ever, WHO warns
The World Health Organization chief says the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo is on track to become the deadliest ever, surpassing the 2014-2016 epidemic that killed at least 11,000 people. The current outbreak has caused over 2,000 deaths. Declared on May 15, the outbreak has seen at least 4,300 cases. WHO hopes to reverse the spread within three months but warns this only means controlling transmission, not ending the outbreak. Health officials believe the virus began spreading in February and was initially misdiagnosed as malaria or typhoid. The outbreak is caused by the rare Bundibugyo species, previously seen only in 2007 and 2012. Regional instability has limited health workers to reaching about 30% of cases. The UK has approved first human trials for a Bundibugyo vaccine based on Oxford-AstraZeneca technology.