Confirmed Ebola cases in the Democratic Republic of Congo surpassed 6,000 on Monday, as authorities intensified efforts to contain the outbreak.
Health Ministry data showed that 6,041 cases and 2,911 deaths had been recorded since the outbreak was declared in mid-May. At least 1,366 patients have recovered, while 619 remain in isolation or hospital.
The World Health Organisation said the outbreak, caused by the Bundibugyo virus, is the world’s second-largest by recorded infections. It has affected 60 health zones across Haut-Uele, Ituri, North Kivu, South Kivu, Bas-Uele and Tshopo provinces, with Ituri accounting for most cases.
The Government has launched a vaccination campaign for health and frontline workers. The Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations also announced a $16.5 million partnership with Minapharm Group to develop a vaccine candidate for the Bundibugyo virus.
According to the WHO, insecurity, displacement, a health workers’ strike and significant population movement are fuelling the outbreak. It warned that the crisis remains uncontrolled and could surpass the 2014-2016 West African outbreak, which killed more than 11,000 people.