The number of confirmed cases of Ebola virus in Congo has surged past 8,000, as the country runs out of health workers to contain the deadly disease.
Congo announced the outbreak on May 15, caused by the rare Bundibugyo virus, which has no known treatment or vaccine. The country has struggled to contain the spread since the initial announcement.
According to data from Congo's health ministry released Sunday, 8,067 cases have been confirmed, with 3,901 deaths as of September 26. The outbreak spans 63 health zones across seven of the country's 26 provinces, with a fatality rate of more than 48 percent.
The World Health Organization noted in its latest report that the continuously high crude case fatality ratio, and especially the continuously high rate of deaths occurring in communities, reflects the seriousness of the disease and persistent challenges in timely case detection and access to early and adequate patient care.
The shortage of available health workers has compounded containment efforts as authorities work to manage the expanding outbreak across multiple provinces.