The death toll from the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has risen to 2,209, according to the African Union (AU).
AU announced the figures in its latest periodic report on the status Ebola virus as of December 8, indicating an increase by 59 on the 2,150 deaths reported as of October 13.
The current Ebola outbreak in the DR Congo started in August last year, and is considered the country’s largest ever outbreak.
While the number of people killed continues to rise, the AU reports that some 1,087 people have recovered from the disease, with more than 3,150 cases overall.
The World Health Organization (WHO) in July declared the Ebola outbreak a public health emergency of international concern, calling for more measures to curb its spread.
Last week, the AU Commission had hosted a resource mobilization event — dubbed “Africa against Ebola Private Sector and Partner Forum” — to solicit resources from AU member states and other partners to support efforts to end the Ebola virus disease (EVD) in DRC and contain it from spreading.
During the solidarity event, more than 55 million U.S. dollars have been pledged along with other in-kind supports and assistance to Africa’s fight against Ebola.
An Ebola vaccine was introduced in the DR Congo earlier this year as the country continues efforts to defeat the disease. Health authorities are confident the vaccines will help the country in this quest.
