The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is spreading faster than the country’s ability to contain it.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the epidemic has accelerated nearly three months after the outbreak began, with new cases doubling in some hotspots over the past week.
As of Monday, health authorities had confirmed 3,874 cases and 1,751 deaths. According to reports, the outbreak is now the second-largest Ebola epidemic on record and the fastest-spreading to date.
The current outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo strain, for which there is currently no approved vaccine or treatment.
The United States announced an additional $242 million in funding to help contain the outbreak, strengthen regional preparedness and provide humanitarian assistance, bringing its direct support to more than $512 million.
