DRC's Worst-Ever Ebola Outbreak Passes 100 Days as Weekly Toll Hits Record High

DRC Ministry of Health data published Aug 24 showed the Bundibugyo virus disease outbreak, declared May 17 in Ituri, had reached 5,514 cases and 2,642 deaths as of Aug 23 — 100 days since declaration — with 317 deaths recorded in the preceding week alone, one of the highest weekly tolls of the epidemic. Ituri remains the epicenter (4,607 cases, 2,065 deaths) with spread into North Kivu, South Kivu, Haut-Uele, Tshopo and Bas-Uele. WHO says insecurity and attacks on health facilities by ADF, CODECO and other armed groups have curtailed responder access and disrupted surveillance; Congolese health experts say the confirmed toll could be up to three times lower than the true count, since the outbreak spread undetected for weeks before being confirmed.