What happened: eastern Congo Ebola outbreak passes 1,500 deaths
Officials in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo reported that the fastest-growing Ebola outbreak has surpassed 1,500 deaths. Updated figures released by officials describe a sharp increase in both cases and deaths within about a week, with the emergency continuing to expand faster than response efforts.
As of Tuesday, officials reported the following totals:
3,442 total cases recorded.1,521 deaths recorded.Officials reported a reported increase of about a 50% rise in roughly a week.
Background and earlier position: outbreak growth described as faster than response
The officials’ update frames the Ebola situation in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo as the fastest-growing Ebola outbreak at the time. Officials also characterise the emergency as expanding faster than response efforts. The excerpt does not provide the earlier baseline totals before the latest update, but it does specify the time window of rapid change: within about a week.
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