An Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has killed more than 2,000 people, making it the country's second-deadliest outbreak and one of the fastest-spreading Ebola epidemics ever recorded.

Congolese health authorities said the outbreak has resulted in 2,011 deaths from 4,381 confirmed cases since it was officially declared in May. Health officials believe the virus had already been circulating for several weeks before the outbreak was detected.

The outbreak is being driven by the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus, for which there is currently no approved vaccine or specific treatment.

Health Minister Samuel Roger Kamba said the outbreak is yet to reach its peak but expressed hope that transmission could begin to decline within the next three months as control measures are strengthened.

— AFRICANEWS.COM