The Democratic Republic of Congo’s latest Ebola outbreak has surpassed 1,000 confirmed infections, with more than 250 people losing their lives as health authorities and international agencies race to contain the spread of the deadly virus.
Official figures released by the country’s National Institute of Public Health (INSP) on Monday showed that 1,003 cases had been recorded, while the death toll had reached 254.
The outbreak, which was officially declared on 15 May, is currently exhibiting a fatality rate of approximately 25 percent.
The vast majority of infections have been reported in Ituri province in northeastern DRC, a region that has long struggled with insecurity and the presence of armed groups.
Health officials say the outbreak has also spread into neighbouring North Kivu and South Kivu provinces, placing an estimated 15 million residents at risk.
The growing health crisis has crossed national borders, with neighbouring Uganda reporting 20 confirmed cases and two deaths, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Ugandan authorities, however, have maintained that the situation remains under control.
The outbreak is being driven by the rare Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus, which presents an additional challenge for health workers because no approved vaccine or specific treatment currently exists for this variant.
Existing Ebola vaccines, developed during previous outbreaks between 2018 and 2019, are effective only against the more common Zaire strain.
The WHO has since declared the outbreak an international public health emergency, warning that the crisis could continue for months if transmission is not brought under control.
Concerns have also been raised about delays in identifying and responding to the outbreak.
Michael Mashile 