Congo, May 25 (V7N)- The ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) has taken a serious turn, with suspected cases rising sharply to more than 900, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus confirmed the update in a statement shared on social media on Sunday (May 24), as reported by AFP.
He said intensified surveillance and investigation efforts have identified over 900 suspected Ebola cases, of which 101 have been confirmed through laboratory testing.
Earlier, the Congolese Ministry of Health reported on Saturday (May 23) that at least 867 suspected cases had been recorded across three provinces amid ongoing conflict and a worsening humanitarian situation.
The government of DR Congo officially declared a new Ebola outbreak on May 15. Health authorities have identified the strain involved as “Bundibugyo,” a rare and highly dangerous variant for which no approved vaccine or specific treatment currently exists.
Ebola is a highly infectious and often fatal disease transmitted through direct contact with infected bodily fluids. Symptoms can include severe internal bleeding and multiple organ failure, making outbreaks particularly difficult to control in conflict-affected regions.
The WHO has warned that continued instability in the region could further complicate containment efforts as health workers struggle to reach affected communities.
According to global health data, Ebola outbreaks across Africa have killed more than 15,000 people over the past five decades, underscoring the ongoing threat posed by the virus.
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