UN says Ebola is killing a person every 30 minutes in eastern Congo

The United Nations said on Friday that Ebola is killing one person every 30 minutes in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, underscoring the severity of the outbreak in the region. The warning comes as health workers continue efforts to contain the disease.

The UN did not give a full update on the total number of cases in the material provided, but its assessment points to ongoing transmission and a high death rate. Ebola is a severe viral illness that can spread quickly in areas with limited medical access.

Eastern Congo has faced repeated Ebola outbreaks over the years, often complicating response efforts because of conflict, displacement and weak health infrastructure. The latest UN statement adds to long-running concerns about the region’s ability to control infectious disease outbreaks.

The Democratic Republic of Congo has dealt with several Ebola emergencies since the virus was first identified there in 1976, making the country a central focus of global outbreak monitoring.