Ebola Deaths Surpass 1,000 in Congo as Virus Outpaces Response

Confirmed Ebola deaths in Democratic Republic of Congo have surpassed 1,000, prompting Africa’s top public health official to warn the outbreak could become one of the worst on record unless transmission is rapidly brought under control.

The number of fatal cases has doubled in just over two weeks, with the National Institute of Public Health reporting 2,536 cases and 1,033 deaths on Thursday. The death toll has climbed from 506 on July 4, with the epidemic spreading into two new provinces beyond its original epicenter in Ituri.

“If we do not stop this outbreak today, it could become one …