Democratic Republic of Congo Ebola Crisis Deepens
The latest numbers from the Congolese Ministry of Health show that over 500 people have died in the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The health authorities report a total of 1,561 confirmed cases, including 506 deaths, as well as 253 recoveries and 628 patients who are currently receiving treatment in isolation or hospitalization.
The epidemic, which was declared on May 15, has spread to 36 health zones across the provinces of Ituri, North Kivu, and South Kivu, where community transmission of the virus continues.
Ituri remains the most affected province, accounting for over 91% of all confirmed cases and nearly 84% of all deaths since the start of the outbreak, according to Congolese authorities.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has also warned that the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola continues to evolve rapidly and spread sustainably. As of July 1, at least 10,821 people who had been in contact with confirmed cases were being monitored for health checks in Ituri and North Kivu as part of efforts to contain the outbreak.
