The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has now killed more than 2,000 people, making it the fastest-growing outbreak on record, health authorities said. The death toll was confirmed as the virus continues to spread rapidly, with experts saying it is gaining momentum. The outbreak was officially declared on May 15, but new sequencing data shows the virus was likely transmitted from animals to humans and began months earlier, in February. Health workers are struggling to contain the disease due to rebel conflict, poor roads, and work stoppages related to payment disputes, which have hampered efforts to reach remote areas.