Kinshasa, Jun 23: The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has escalated sharply, with confirmed cases rising to over 1,000 and the death toll reaching 267, according to health officials.
The Ministry of Health reported that the Bundibugyo strain continues to drive infections across North Kivu and Ituri provinces, where treatment centers are struggling to cope with the influx of patients.
International partners, including the World Health Organization (WHO) and Africa CDC, have reinforced emergency teams and supplies to affected regions. WHO officials described the situation as “deeply concerning,” given Ebola’s high fatality rate and the risk of further spread.
Authorities emphasized that containment measures are being expanded, including intensified surveillance, community awareness campaigns, and deployment of medical teams to high-risk zones. Cross-border monitoring has also been stepped up to prevent regional escalation.
Global health experts warned that the outbreak’s scale underscores the urgent need for public cooperation. Citizens are being urged to report symptoms promptly, avoid unsafe burials, and follow health guidelines to reduce transmission risks.
The government reiterated its commitment to transparency and international collaboration, stressing that vigilance remains critical in curbing the epidemic.
