The death toll from the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has risen to 2,011, according to the country’s public health institute.
Health authorities said on Tuesday that 4,381 confirmed cases had been recorded across five provinces, as the outbreak continues to spread rapidly.
The latest figures mark a grim milestone in an outbreak described by health officials as the fastest-spreading Ebola outbreak on record.
Authorities have stepped up surveillance and testing efforts as they work to contain the disease and prevent further transmission.
The development has also heightened concerns about the spread of the virus beyond affected communities, particularly in densely populated areas.
In Kinshasa, health officials recently intercepted a boat after a passenger who had travelled on it died from suspected Ebola.
Passengers who disembarked from the vessel were subsequently tested as part of efforts to determine whether the virus had spread among those who came in contact with the suspected case.
The latest outbreak has put renewed pressure on health authorities and emergency response teams as they work to trace contacts, identify new cases and limit further infections.
The Democratic Republic of Congo has experienced several Ebola outbreaks over the years, making the country one of the most experienced in responding to the deadly virus.
