DR Congo reported over 10,000 confirmed Ebola cases, with 4,887 deaths, as the outbreak spreads to Kenya, Nigeria, and Uganda. The virus, caused by the rare Bundibugyo species, has become the largest and deadliest in the country's history. The World Health Organization warns of a complex containment challenge across Africa.
The outbreak, which began in mid-May, has seen cases rise to 10,060, with the first known case in Kenya after a traveler from Congo via Uganda. Nigeria confirmed a case linked to a Swiss woman who contracted the virus in Uganda. Health officials are investigating the source of the spread and implementing quarantine measures.
The lack of an approved vaccine or treatment for the Bundibugyo virus complicates containment efforts. The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention has labeled the outbreak as the fastest-growing in history, with officials emphasizing the need for vigilance as the virus spreads across multiple African nations.
The Swiss woman, wife of a diplomat, was evacuated to Switzerland after falling ill in Uganda. Uganda, which was declared Ebola-free in August, is now monitoring travelers from Congo. Health authorities are working to trace the virus's origin and prevent further spread across the continent.