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More than 4,000 deaths recorded in DR Congo Ebola outbreak

The latest health ministry figures show 4,018 people have died from among 8,300 confirmed cases in what has become the fastest-growing Ebola outbreak in history.

The country announced an outbreak on 15 May, caused by the rare Bundibugyo virus, which has no known treatment or vaccine.

The number of confirmed cases is dropping, but that could be attributed to insecurity and challenges in getting communities to cooperate in some hotspots, the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention told a news conference.

The World Health Organization has recently raised concerns over the rapid geographical spread of the virus into new health zones, stretching limited resources.

A Congolese politician was beaten to death earlier this week for defending government measures in dealing with the outbreak, amid tensions in the health community.

The attack on Marie-Celestin Karondwa, a local official with Congo’s ruling Union for Democracy and Social Progress party, took place on Sunday at his home in Butembo, an Ebola hotspot in the eastern North Kivu province.

His house was set on fire and he later died in hospital.

Widespread mistrust of health workers and the authorities has hampered efforts to slow the nation’s 17th Ebola outbreak.

Last month, authorities launched a village-centered approach, but some residents have dismissed Ebola as a hoax.

There has also been a deep distrust in the country’s government, due to its chronic corruption and how past Ebola outbreaks have been managed.

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