DR Congo Ebola death toll nears 5,000 as Africa CDC honors fallen doctor

The death toll from the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is approaching 5,000, according to the latest official report released Friday, as the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) paid tribute to a doctor who died from the disease in the country's conflict-hit east.

The latest situation report from the DRC's National Institute of Public Health (INSP) showed that the country had recorded 10,274 confirmed Ebola cases, including 4,992 deaths, as of October 28, with a case fatality rate of 48.6%. The outbreak has affected 67 health zones across eight of the country's 26 provinces.

Meanwhile, Africa CDC paid tribute on social media platform X to Dr. Marie-France Shogogo, who died of Ebola in Beni, North Kivu Province, calling for greater protection of frontline health workers.

"Protect those who protect us," the continental health agency said.

According to local health sources, three doctors died of Ebola within 72 hours at an Ebola treatment center in Beni, underscoring the risks facing medical personnel battling the outbreak.

The Beni health zone reported 661 cases in total, including 443 deaths, with a case fatality rate of 67%, according to the INSP report.

Across North Kivu, a total of 2,391 confirmed cases and 1,341 deaths have been recorded. The report also highlighted mounting pressure on the province's healthcare system, with Ebola treatment facilities operating at 86.3% capacity and only 82.2% of identified contacts being monitored, below the 95% target.

The outbreak, declared on May 15 and caused by the Bundibugyo Ebola virus, has become the world's second-largest recorded Ebola outbreak.