A significant epidemiological acceleration of the spread of the virus in Congo, covering an area larger than France

Sources indicated a significant epidemiological acceleration of the outbreak of the virus in Congo, covering an area larger than France, and 2,500 deaths in the last 20 days, and containing the outbreak required additional resources in a region that has been suffering from armed conflict for 30 years.

The representative of the office in the Congo, Julien Harness, said during a media briefing in Geneva: “The epidemic is expanding dramatically, and today it covers an area larger than France, and half of the 2,500 deaths occurred during the last 20 days.”

He pointed out that containing the outbreak urgently requires providing additional resources, especially since the region has been witnessing an armed conflict for 30 years, making the humanitarian needs there "huge."

The National Institute of Public Health in Congo announced on Thursday that the number of confirmed cases had risen to 5,208, and deaths to 2,476.

This outbreak, announced on May 15, is different from most previous outbreaks because it is caused by a new strain of the virus called Bundibugyo, for which there are no approved vaccines or treatments yet.