Congo’s Ebola death toll tops 5,000 as outbreak spreads — Pajhwok

KABUL (Pajhwok): The death toll from the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has exceeded 5,000, with more than 10,000 people infected, the Associated Press (AP) reported on Saturday. The Congolese Ministry of Health recorded 5,026 deaths among 10,351 confirmed and suspected cases, a fatality rate of nearly 50 per cent. The outbreak, caused by the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus, began in May and has spread to several provinces. Health officials say armed conflict, public distrust, shortages of resources and disruptions to health services are hampering efforts to contain it. The virus has also spread beyond Congo, with cases reported in other African countries, raising concerns about further transmission.