Confirmed Ebola cases in DR Congo rise to 635

The number of confirmed Ebola infections in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has increased to 635, local authorities announced.

According to officials, 127 people have died from the virus. Previous figures indicated 598 confirmed cases and 115 deaths, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

Congo’s Ebola outbreak has expanded into a new health zone in the northeastern province of Ituri, authorities said on June 10, highlighting ongoing transmission more than three weeks after the epidemic was declared.

The health ministry reported that Tchomia, located about 50 kilometres south of the provincial capital Bunia on the shores of Lake Albert, is now the latest affected area. This brings the total number of impacted health zones to 26 nationwide and 18 within Ituri province, which accounts for more than 94% of confirmed cases.

On May 17, the World Health Organisation declared the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda a public health emergency.

There are currently no approved treatments or vaccines for the spreading Bundibugyo strain of the virus. As a result, supportive medical care remains essential, including patient isolation, fluid replacement therapy for those infected, and pain management.

By Jeyhun Aghazada