Ebola death toll in DRC exceeds 5,000

Government data indicates the number of deaths from Ebola in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has exceeded 5,000. Authorities have not yet found an effective way to control the outbreak, which is the deadliest in the country's history.

The latest death toll was announced on Friday. Officials said the outbreak has infected more than 10,000 people since it was declared in May.

The Bundibugyo strain of the virus, which is responsible for the current outbreak, has no approved treatments or vaccines. Officials said delayed detection, conflict, and strained health services have contributed to the rapid spread of the virus.

The virus has reached eight of the DRC’s 26 provinces. It has also spread to neighboring countries, including Nigeria, Kenya, and Uganda. Nigeria became the fourth African country to report an Ebola case last week.

This year’s outbreak is the second-largest in history, following the 2014-2016 epidemic that infected over 28,600 people and killed more than 11,000 across three West African countries. Some governments have imposed travel restrictions or quarantine measures for travelers from affected areas.

Saudi Arabia suspended travel to and entry from Kenya, according to the Saudi Press Agency. The kingdom also prohibited entry to travelers arriving from Kenya, including those transiting through third countries who had stayed in Kenya or other Ebola-affected countries within the previous 21 days.