An Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has now killed 2,325 people, according to government figures released Sunday, making it the deadliest Ebola outbreak ever recorded in the country. The death toll has exceeded the 2,299 deaths recorded during the 2018–2020 outbreak. The country’s public health institute reported that confirmed infections have reached 4,945, with 101 additional cases identified within the previous 24 hours. The current outbreak, which is the DRC’s 17th Ebola outbreak, had already become the country’s largest in terms of infections after cases surpassed previous records in late July. Globally, the outbreak is currently second only to the massive 2014–2016 West African Ebola epidemic, which affected Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone and resulted in more than 28,000 infections and 11,000 deaths, according to the World Health Organization. What makes the situation in the DRC particularly concerning is the speed at which deaths have increased. The current outbreak reached 2,000 deaths in less than three months, while the West African epidemic took nearly five months to reach 1,000 deaths. No Approved Treatment or Vaccine The outbreak is being caused by the Bundibugyo species of Ebola, for which there are currently no approved vaccines or treatments. It was officially declared on May 15 and has continued to spread amid challenges including weak healthcare infrastructure, insecurity and resistance from some communities. The percentage of confirmed patients who die from the disease has risen from around 20% in early June to approximately 46%. This means that nearly half of those confirmed to have Ebola are currently dying from the infection. Health experts, however, say the rising fatality rate does not necessarily mean the virus has become more deadly. Instead, they believe it reflects problems with detecting cases early, monitoring the spread of the disease and providing patients with timely medical care. Many patients are reportedly being identified only when their illness is already severe, and some cases are discovered after people have died in their communities. Health specialists say earlier diagnosis and treatment would normally be expected to reduce the death rate as an outbreak progresses. Researchers are currently evaluating several experimental vaccines and treatments, while international health authorities are also examining whether existing Ebola therapies could be effective against this particular strain. So far, however, available evidence is largely based on animal studies. The outbreak also crossed into neighboring Uganda, but authorities there managed to contain the spread. Uganda recorded 20 confirmed cases and two deaths before declaring the outbreak over last month. Ebola is transmitted through direct contact with bodily fluids from infected people, including those who have died. Symptoms can include fever, vomiting and severe diarrhea, while serious infections can result in internal and external bleeding.