At least 999 people have died in the ongoing disaster Ebola epidemic The actual death toll in eastern Congo is likely to be higher as authorities continue to track cases and deaths, according to official data released on Wednesday.According to the Congolese Ministry of Health, as of July 20, there have been 2,473 deaths from confirmed Ebola cases.Announced on May 15, the outbreak in eastern Congo is different from most previous Ebola outbreaks in that it is caused by the Bundibugyo virus, for which there is currently no approved vaccine or treatment.This outbreak is killing people faster than any previous Ebola outbreak on record. The outbreak in West Africa from 2013 to 2016 was the deadliest on record, with more than 28,000 cases and more than 11,000 deaths. It took about eight months for the death toll to reach 1,000.Ebola is a rare but highly contagious disease that is spread through contact with body fluids such as blood, vomit and semen, and contaminated materials such as bedding and clothing. It can also be transmitted from infected animals to humans. The disease is serious and often fatal.Insurgent violence, misinformation hamper responseThe response in eastern Congo is hampered by security concerns, particularly in Ituri province, which is the worst affected. Five provinces have reported cases in the region, where rebel violence has complicated efforts to contain the outbreak.Authorities say there have been at least 12 attacks on health facilities and response teams since the outbreak was declared in May, driven largely by misinformation and mistrust. Some health workers also stopped working due to unpaid wages, while at least 36 infected health workers died.this World Health Organization The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that about 80% of new Ebola cases are detected through unknown transmission chains, suggesting that the outbreak is spreading faster than health officials can track despite an expanding response.
