An outbreak of Ebola that has raged through the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) since last August has now passed more than 1,000 cases, making it the second largest outbreak ever recorded.
These figures come from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which has thus far logged approximately 1009 cases, including 625 deaths and 318 survivors linked to the health crisis. Its effects have only been surpassed by those of the 2014-2016 outbreak in West Africa, which killed more than 11,000 people, according to the World Health Organization. Responses have been complicated by armed conflict in the region and the disruption it has caused public health response.
“This is a disappointing milestone. This remains a highly complex Ebola outbreak with active Ebola transmission in 21 health zones,” CDC Director Robert R. Redfield said. “Despite this, CDC will continue to work 24/7 with our partners in DRC, in DRC’s neighboring countries, and around the world to prevent the spread of Ebola and bring this outbreak to an end.”
The CDC is providing ongoing assistance to the DRC Ministries of Health and to neighboring countries.