The Ebola epidemic has claimed more than 300 lives in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), a little more than one month after it was declared, health authorities said Friday.
The deadly viral disease, which spreads through direct contact with bodily fluids, can cause severe bleeding and organ failure.
A total of 304 people in the DRC have now died of the virus, from 1,115 confirmed infections since the outbreak was detected May 15, giving a mortality rate of 26.3%, the National Public Health Institute (INSP) said.
This is a jump from the 202 deaths confirmed June 18 by the African Union's health agency, from 875 confirmed infections—a mortality rate of 23%.
The Red Cross warned last week that the outbreak of the hemorrhagic fever has yet to peak and could take up to a year to contain.
