DR Congo Ebola death toll surpasses 2,000 as scientists trace likely origin

The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has claimed more than 2,000 lives, making it the country's second-deadliest outbreak on record and one of the fastest-growing ever documented.

According to Congolese health authorities, the outbreak has caused 2,011 deaths among 4,381 confirmed cases since it was declared in May, although officials believe the virus had been spreading for weeks before it was detected. The outbreak is being driven by the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, for which there is currently no approved vaccine or treatment.

Health Minister Samuel Roger Kamba says the country has not yet reached the peak of the outbreak but hopes transmission can begin to decline within the next three months.

Adding to scientists' understanding of the crisis, a new study has found that the outbreak was most likely triggered by a new spillover of the virus from animals to humans, rather than continued transmission from a previous Ebola outbreak. Researchers identified a previously unrecorded variant of the Bundibugyo virus, underscoring the need for stronger surveillance of diseases that jump from animals to people.

Health workers continue to face major challenges, including insecurity, weak health infrastructure, and community mistrust, as efforts intensify to bring the outbreak under control.