Congo Ebola cases rise to 837 as response faces insecurity, community resistance

The number of confirmed Ebola cases in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has risen to 837, including 196 deaths, as health authorities and international partners warned that the outbreak continues to deteriorate with sustained community transmission and geographic expansion.



According to the latest figures released by the DRC health ministry, the case fatality rate stood at 23.4 percent. A total of 49 patients had recovered, while 376 patients remained in isolation.



The outbreak, caused by the Bundibugyo Ebola virus, remains concentrated in major hotspot zones, particularly Bunia, Mongbwalu and Rwampara in the Ituri province.



According to a report published Tuesday by the World Health Organization (WHO), the widening geographic distribution of affected health zones, persistent transmission in urban and mining-linked settings, suboptimal contact follow-up rates in some provinces and ongoing insecurity in affected areas continue to complicate response operations and increase the risk of further spread within the DRC and to neighboring countries.