Congo Ebola death toll passes 5,000 as outbreak spreads
The death toll from Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo has passed 5,000, according to government data released on Friday. More than 10,000 people have been infected since the outbreak was declared in May.
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- Government data on Friday showed more than 5,000 Ebola deaths in DR Congo.
- More than 10,000 people have been infected since May.
- No approved treatment or vaccine exists for the Bundibugyo strain.
- Saudi Arabia has suspended travel to and entry from Kenya.
The death toll from the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has surpassed 5,000, according to government data announced on Friday. It is the country's deadliest Ebola outbreak on record.
Authorities have not yet found a way to bring the outbreak under control. Ebola has infected more than 10,000 people in the DRC since the outbreak was declared in May, and it has reached eight of the country's 26 provinces.
The outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo strain of the virus. There are no approved treatments or vaccines for this strain, according to the reports.
Al Jazeera reported that delayed detection, conflict and strained health services have helped the virus spread faster than in past outbreaks.
The virus has also crossed borders. Kenya and Uganda have reported cases, and last week Nigeria became the fourth African country to report an Ebola case.
This year's outbreak is the second-largest on record, behind the 2014-2016 epidemic. That epidemic infected more than 28,600 people and killed more than 11,000 across Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone.
Some governments are restricting travel to affected countries or quarantining travellers who recently visited or transited through them. According to the Saudi Press Agency, Saudi Arabia on Friday suspended travel by its citizens to Kenya, paused all visa types for travellers from Kenya and barred entry to those who stayed in Kenya or other Ebola-affected countries in the previous 21 days, including in transit.
In June, Saudi Arabia suspended travel to and entry from the DRC, Uganda and South Sudan.
Why it matters
A major global health emergency with no approved vaccine or treatment draws attention in Pakistan, and travel curbs such as Saudi Arabia's could matter to people who travel internationally.
