Nearly 1,000 people have died in the latest Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, as health authorities and international officials warn that the spread of the virus continues to accelerate faster than response efforts.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo's National Institute of Public Health said 999 deaths had been confirmed since the Bundibugyo strain outbreak began in May, while two additional deaths have been recorded in neighboring Uganda.
A total of 2,473 cases have been documented, with at least 737 patients currently in hospitals or isolation.
The outbreak was declared on May 15 after several deaths were reported in the northeastern province of Ituri, where the epidemic remains concentrated.
Since then, cases linked to the outbreak have also been reported in Uganda, while infections have spread to five of Congo's 26 provinces.
Health officials said around 80% of newly identified infections have emerged through unknown transmission chains, indicating the virus is spreading faster than authorities can trace.
Officials also said about 82% of contacts linked to confirmed cases are being monitored, below the 90% to 95% level considered necessary to contain the outbreak.
There are currently no approved vaccines or treatments for the Bundibugyo strain.
The virus spreads through close contact with infected bodily fluids and is frequently fatal.
Health authorities said the current outbreak has reached nearly 1,000 deaths more rapidly than any previous Ebola outbreak on record.
The 2013-2016 Ebola epidemic, which remains the deadliest recorded outbreak, required about eight months to reach the same milestone.
The World Health Organization has warned that the outbreak has expanded faster than any previous Ebola outbreak over the past month.
WHO officials said response efforts continue to lag behind the pace of transmission despite plans to increase interventions.
Officials also said attacks on healthcare workers, unpaid staff, and security concerns have forced many medical personnel to leave affected areas, further complicating containment efforts.
Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention Director-General Jean Kaseya urged stronger international action, warning, "If we don't stop this outbreak, it could become one of the worst Ebola outbreaks the world has ever documented."