Santa Barbara, California, May 21 -- As a deadly Ebola outbreak spreads in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, Direct Relief is preparing to ship $2.5 million in medicine and medical supplies to treat patients, protect health workers, and limit the spread of the highly contagious disease.

The outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo virus, a rare species of Ebola, distinct from the more common Zaire strain. Bundibugyo has a fatality rate of 30% to 50%, according to the World Health Organization.

There is no vaccine for the Bundibugyo virus. Healthcare workers provide patients with supportive care, treating them for dehydration, coinfections, respiratory and digestive complications, and other common symptoms, said Alycia Clark, Direct Reli...