Congo Ebola deaths pass 5000 as virus spreads across Africa
Congo's Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak has killed 5,026 people out of 10,351 infected in six months.
The outbreak declared in mid-May is the second deadliest in history. Only the 2014-2016 West Africa crisis killed more, at 11,000 deaths.
Nearly 50 per cent of infected people have died. The virus has spread from eastern Congo to eight of 26 provinces.
Cases now appear in Kenya, Nigeria and Uganda. This marks the first outbreak across three African regions.
Health officials say about 80 per cent of new cases come from outside monitored contact chains, making containment harder. One-third of recorded deaths are people who died before reaching some treatment centres.
Armed conflict in the region, community distrust of health workers, and strikes over unpaid wages have all hampered response efforts.
Why it mattersEbola kills up to half its victims and has no vaccine; a spreading outbreak across multiple countries risks becoming unstoppable.
AustraliaNo direct Australian effect yet, but cases crossing borders into Kenya and Nigeria show the virus is gaining foothold across the continent.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 2 h ago
