Ebola deaths pass 5,000 in DR Congo's deadliest outbreak, with more than 10,300 cases confirmed

More than 5,000 people have died in the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, government data shows. It is the deadliest Ebola outbreak in the country's history.

Eight of the country's 26 provinces are now affected and more than 10,300 cases have been confirmed. The current case fatality rate is 48.6%.

The outbreak, which started in May, had already become the country's deadliest in its history by August, public health officials said. According to the United Nations it is the 17th Ebola outbreak in DR Congo's history and the second largest in history.

In its latest update, the health ministry said the epicentre of the epidemic remains Ituri province in the north-east of the country. The area is a conflict zone, which makes containing the virus harder.

Cases have also been confirmed in Kenya, Nigeria and Uganda. Kenya has recorded nine confirmed cases and two deaths, and a woman confirmed to have the disease in Nigeria was flown to Switzerland for further treatment.

No cases have been reported in Uganda since August, but travel restrictions remain in place for people crossing into the country from neighbouring DR Congo.

The Bundibugyo species of the Ebola virus is behind the current outbreak. There is currently no treatment or vaccine for this strain, but clinical trials of vaccines are under way, the World Health Organization (WHO) office in Africa said. Testing and treatment are also under way.

The WHO office in Africa said a continued scale-up of key control measures, greater access to affected areas and community outreach are needed to end the outbreak.

Ebola is a rare and deadly disease caused by a virus, and symptoms come on suddenly. As the disease progresses, vomiting and diarrhoea develop and it can lead to organ failure; some, but not all, patients develop internal and external bleeding. The virus spreads from one person to another by contact with infected bodily fluids such as blood or vomit.

The response has also faced attacks. Earlier this week a nurse was killed and another health worker seriously injured in an attack while responding to an Ebola alert; local youths had accused them of contaminating water sources and spreading the virus, according to the UN-backed Radio Okapi.

Last month a politician was beaten to death after promoting measures to stop the spread of Ebola, and in August the Red Cross said its volunteers had been injured and an ambulance set on fire in 11 violent incidents in the outbreak's first 100 days.

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control said the likelihood of infection for people in the Europe area is "very low".