Ebola outbreak reaches seventh region in DR Congo, official says

An Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has spread to Sud – Ubangi, where an official confirmed one death linked to the virus, making it the disease’s seventh affected region in the country.

The development comes amid a struggle by health authorities to contain an outbreak that has spread rapidly across northeastern Congo, with cases and deaths on the rise in several provinces. Health officials say the Bundibugyo species of Ebola is driving the outbreak.

The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention said Thursday that the outbreak was spreading beyond its epicentre in Ituri province, where cases have recently declined while infections have risen sharply in North Kivu and Haut-Uele.

Congo reported 6,843 cases and 3,310 deaths as of Thursday, according to government figures cited by The Associated Press. More than 5,400 cases were reported in Ituri, the hardest-hit province.

The growing geographic spread is placing more pressure on an already stretched health system. The World Health Organisation has warned of a lack of trained health workers, operational partners, and funding, while treatment centres are being moved closer to affected communities.

Health authorities are also dealing with population displacement, insecurity and limited resources, hampering efforts to trace contacts and contain transmission.