DR Congo: Confirmed Ebola cases in the Democratic Republic of the Congo have crossed 11,000, with the death toll at 5,387, according to health ministry data released on November 10.
The outbreak is now the largest and deadliest in the country's history and the second-largest and second-deadliest on record, behind only the 2014-2016 West African epidemic, which infected more than 28,600 people and killed over 11,000. Nearly half of those confirmed infected have died, a case fatality ratio of about 48.8 per cent.
It is caused by the Bundibugyo strain of the virus, for which there is no licensed vaccine and no approved specific treatment. The licensed Ervebo vaccine targets the Zaire strain. The outbreak was declared on 15 May and designated a public health emergency of international concern by the World Health Organization two days later.
Cases have been confirmed in eight of the country's 26 provinces and 67 health zones, from three zones in the first days. Ituri is the most affected province, with 28 of its 36 health zones hit. Transmission is slowing in some areas but new hotspots keep emerging where insecurity and displacement hamper the response.
The World Health Organization approved clinical trials of two new vaccines this month and expects results in early 2027. Doctors Without Borders has asked WHO's advisory group on immunisation to lift the restrictions that limit Ervebo to research use in this outbreak.
(With inputs from PTI and media reports)