The Ebola epidemic in the Democratic Republic of Congo has seen a surge in infections, with confirmed cases reaching almost 3,000 and deaths surpassing 1,250. This outbreak is being described as the fastest spreading ever recorded, marking the fastest fatal surge in the history of the virus.
Medical teams are struggling to contain the spread amid widespread shortages and attacks on clinics. Efforts have been further complicated by militant violence. Recent updates to the case numbers followed the reconciliation of national and provincial databases, which also reported dozens of new cases in the virus's epicenter.
Africa's top public health official has warned that the outbreak could become one of the worst on record if transmission is not rapidly brought under control. In response to the crisis, experts are calling for more funding to help tackle the epidemic.