Congo Ebola death toll tops 2,000 as outbreak becomes fastest spreading on record

Congo’s Ebola outbreak has reached 4,381 confirmed cases and 2,011 deaths, according to the government data published overnight Tuesday. The toll is nearly three months after the outbreak was declared on May 15, but the deaths have accelerated sharply: it took about nine weeks to reach the first 1,000 deaths and only around three weeks to add the next 1,000. Health authorities say they’re struggling to reach remote localities amid rebel conflict, poor roads and work stoppages over payment issues. The World Health Organization has declared the outbreak a public health emergency of international concern, with cases also reported in neighboring Uganda. Aid groups cite that the response is lagging behind spread across five provinces, and clinical trials for vaccines and treatments are under way for the rare Bundibugyo virus.