THE fastest-growing Ebola outbreak in history has spread to two new health zones in eastern Congo, bringing the total to 60, according to the latest government figures.

Biena and Manguredjipa in North Kivu province are the newest areas affected, where the fatality rate is much higher than the overall rate of 48 per cent, partly due to delayed response efforts, Congo’s Ministry of Health said yesterday.

The outbreak has recorded 5,794 confirmed cases and 2,786 deaths, spreading faster than efforts to track and contain it.

The World Health Organisation has said the outbreak remains out of control and is on track to surpass the 2014-16 west Africa epidemic, the deadliest on record, which killed more than 11,000 people.

Insecurity, displacement, a health workers’ strike and intense population movements have hampered the response.

On Thursday, Congo began vaccinating health workers with the Ervebo vaccine, which proved effective against past outbreaks of the more common Zaire strain.

However, no approved vaccine or treatment exists for the rare Bundibugyo virus behind the current outbreak, though clinical trials are under way.

Although declared in mid-May, officials believe the outbreak had been spreading since February, expanding from three health zones to nearly 60, with most cases occurring outside monitored contact networks.

Containment measures, including limits on gatherings, social distancing and airport closures, have disrupted life across the six affected provinces, particularly Ituri, which has also been hit by insurgent violence.

The government has introduced measures, including installing health and sanitary equipment at some locations, but advocacy groups say more needs to be done to build trust within the community.