Confirmed Ebola cases in the Democratic Republic of Congo have surpassed 10,000, marking the country's fastest-growing outbreak on record. Government data shows that 10,060 people have been infected since the virus was first detected in May, resulting in 4,887 deaths. Nearly half of those confirmed to have the virus have died.
The outbreak involves the rare Bundibugyo species of Ebola. Health authorities report that there are currently no approved vaccines or specific treatments for this species, which has complicated efforts to contain the spread of the disease.
Concerns are growing that the epidemic could spread to more African countries. Cases have already been reported in Kenya and Nigeria, leading the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control to deploy a team of experts to Nigeria as authorities race to slow the spread of the virus.
Containment efforts have been further hindered by violence against health workers and responders in eastern DR Congo. These attacks are the latest in a series of incidents that have left a nurse dead.