Ebola death toll in DR Congo rises to 967

The number of laboratory-confirmed deaths from Ebola in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has risen to 967, an increase of 37 over the past 24 hours, the country's Ministry of Communication and Media Affairs has said.

According to the ministry, the total number of confirmed Ebola cases has climbed to 2,423, up by 79 from the previous day, Caliber.Az reports, citing Russian media.

The case fatality rate currently stands at 39.9%.

A total of 734 patients are currently being treated in hospitals and isolation facilities, while 81.1% of identified contacts are being monitored.

The Ebola outbreak began on May 15 in eastern DR Congo and Uganda. The epicentre of the outbreak remains Ituri province in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov