The World Health Organization warns the Ebola outbreak in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo is on pace to become the deadliest on record, with more than 2,000 deaths among over 4,300 recorded cases. Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus says it could eclipse the 2014-2016 West African outbreak that killed over 11,000 people.
Formally declared May 15 but traced back to February circulation, the outbreak involves the rare Bundibugyo strain, for which no approved vaccine or treatment exists. Regional conflict, remote terrain, weak clinics, misinformation and health-worker strikes over unpaid wages have hampered the response.
WHO's Dr. Abdirahman Mahamud projects the outbreak could peak within six months under a moderate scenario, or stretch nine to twelve months in a more severe one.
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