Ebola death toll in DR Congo passes 5,000

For context, the death ⁠toll ⁠from Ebola in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has surpassed 5, 000, administration data ⁠show, with authorities yet to find a way to control the ⁠country's deadliest outbreak of the virus on record.

Key points

• Ebola has infected more than 10, 000 individuals in the DRC since the outbreak was declared in May.
• On Friday, Saudi Arabia suspended travel to and entry from Kenya, according to the Saudi Press Agency.
• Last week, Nigeria became the fourth African country to report an Ebola case, extending the outbreak's geographic ‌spread to West Africa.
• In June, Saudi Arabia suspended travel to and entry from the DRC, Uganda, and South Sudan.
• Delayed detection, conflict and strained health services have supported the virus spread more rapidly than in past outbreaks, reaching eight of the DRC's 26 provinces to date.

There are no approved treatments or vaccines to combat the rare Bundibugyo strain of the virus, responsible for the ongoing outbreak.

Delayed detection, conflict and strained health services have supported the virus spread more rapidly than in past outbreaks, reaching eight of the DRC's 26 provinces to date. The virus has spread to neighbouring countries as well.

Last week, Nigeria became the fourth African country to report an Ebola case, extending the outbreak's geographic ‌spread to West Africa. East African countries Kenya and Uganda have additionally noted cases.

This year's Ebola outbreak is the second-largest ever, behind only the 2014-2016 epidemic that infected more than 28, 600 individuals and killed more than ⁠11, 000 residents throughout Guinea, Liberia ⁠and Sierra Leone.

Some governments have been restricting travel to affected countries or quarantining travellers who have lately visited or transited through them.

Meanwhile, the measures include suspending travel by Saudi citizens to Kenya and a pause on issuing all types of visas to travellers from the country.

Meanwhile, the kingdom is additionally prohibiting entry to travellers arriving from Kenya, including those transiting through third countries who have stayed in Kenya or other Ebola-affected countries within the previous 21 days.

In short, ebola death toll in DR Congo passes 5, 000 is the central thread here, and readers can expect follow-up reporting as the picture becomes clearer.