Fastrack · Ebola Deaths in Congo Top 5,000 as Spread Fears Grow

Ebola has killed more than 5,000 people in Congo since May. It is the country's deadliest outbreak on record.

10,000+ people infected in Congo since the outbreak was declared.
67 of Congo's 178 health zones affected, across eight provinces.
2,788 people have recovered so far.
Only the 2014-2016 West Africa epidemic, with 11,000+ deaths, was deadlier.

Why it matters: Health officials say much of the spread is happening beyond their view. That limits what responders can contain.

About 80% of new cases come from outside monitored contact chains.
One-third of deaths occurred outside treatment centers, before testing.
Armed conflict and attacks on health workers limit access in the east.

The story so far

19 steps · since Oct 13

Oct 13–18
Oct 184:27 PMKenya Confirms Eighth Ebola Case Amid Regional Spread13 sources
Oct 19–20
Oct 201:39 PMNigeria Confirms Ebola Case, Strain Matches Congo Outbreak21 sources
Oct 216:15 AMEbola Spreads to Nigeria as WHO Warns of Complex Outbreak16 sources
Oct 21–26
Oct 274:57 AMCongo's Ebola Outbreak Tops 10,000 Cases, Authorities Race to Contain20 sources
Oct 27
Oct 30Ebola Deaths in Congo Top 5,000 as Spread Fears GrowYou are hereLatest

How 5 sources split on this story

Source landscape

Factuality

High

Mixed

Low

Strong LeftLeftLean LeftCenterLean RightRightStrong Right

Political Bias

Coverage by lean% of 5 sources

5 sources · 5 articles · 60% Left coverage

Center2 sources

Associated Press2hCongo’s Ebola deaths top 5,000 as fear of continent-wide spread mounts Sky News12hEbola outbreak kills more than 5,000 people in Democratic Republic of Congo

Left coverage, 3 sources: The left frames the outbreak as a humanitarian crisis worsened by conflict, unpaid workers and a missing vaccine, with brief signs of local progress.

The Boston Globe2hCongo’s Ebola deaths top 5,000 The Independent40mEbola medics dance as last patients at Democratic Republic of Congo facility are discharged Al Jazeera8hEbola death toll in DR Congo passes 5,000

What’s next: Workers at a treatment center in Tchomia, Ituri, struck Friday over four months of unpaid wages. A local official in Beni blames rising cases on missing fuel and central government funds.

Saudi Arabia suspended travel to and entry from Kenya on Friday.
MSF's Mongbwalu center discharged its last patients, but dozens of new cases appear daily.
Will Congo's government clear the back pay that has triggered health worker strikes?
How far will cases spread outside Congo, and will more countries restrict travel?