The number of confirmed Ebola cases in the Democratic Republic of Congo has surpassed 5,000, government data showed late on Tuesday, as health officials warn that response efforts are failing to contain the deadly disease.
The country’s 17th Ebola epidemic became its largest on record by number of cases in late July, while the death toll reached 2,378 over the weekend, according to the public health institute.
The institute has recorded 5,021 cases in its latest situation report, making the outbreak the world’s second-worst in terms of both infections and deaths, behind the 2014-2016 Ebola epidemic in West Africa.
The outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo species of Ebola, for which there are no approved vaccines or treatments.
It has gained momentum since being declared on May 15, with weak health infrastructure, community resistance, instability and protests by response workers hindering efforts to identify and contain cases.
