Kathmandu— The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has confirmed over 6,000 cases of Ebola, with a death toll nearing 3,000. The outbreak is now the fastest-spreading Ebola epidemic ever recorded, according to United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. Despite efforts by health workers and international organizations, new infections continue to outpace containment measures.

Outbreak's Scale

The DRC Ministry of Communications reported 6,041 confirmed cases, including 1,366 recoveries and 2,911 deaths. The current outbreak surpasses previous surges in the country, making it the worst Ebola epidemic the DRC has experienced.

Challenges to Containment

The response faces significant challenges due to ongoing armed conflict and humanitarian crises in eastern provinces of the DRC. Many new infections occur among people not being monitored through contact tracing, complicating containment efforts.

Doctors Without Borders reports that existing health needs, airport closures, and flight restrictions are disrupting healthcare provision, staff deployment, diagnostics, referrals, and supply chains.

Healthcare Worker Strikes

Frontline healthcare workers went on strike in early August to protest unpaid wages and poor working conditions. This further complicates the response efforts as health workers are critical for managing the outbreak.

(With inputs from Al Jazeera)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.