The Democratic Republic of Congo’s ongoing Ebola crisis has grown more alarming, with the government reporting that the death toll has climbed to 600 and that suspected cases have now appeared in parts of the country that had been untouched by the outbreak until now.
In its most recent update, released late Wednesday, the Congolese government said two new suspected cases were identified in Kisangani, located in the Tshopo province — a region where Ebola had not previously been recorded. Confirmed cases across the country have now totaled 1,759.
Officials noted that one of the two suspected cases appears to be connected to the Nia-Nia health zone in Ituri province, where the outbreak first emerged. The second case, however, “has no apparent geographical connection to known outbreaks,” according to the government report. Authorities are actively investigating both cases.
Congo’s government officially declared this new Ebola outbreak on May 15, following weeks during which the disease had been spreading without being officially detected, the World Health Organization reported. This particular outbreak is being driven by the rare Bundibugyo virus strain, for which there is currently no approved vaccine or treatment available.
Last week brought a measure of hope, as researchers launched highly anticipated clinical trials aimed at finding an effective treatment for the virus.
Despite those efforts, containing the outbreak has proven difficult. Health officials continue to face a significant funding shortfall, attacks targeting medical facilities, and an ongoing armed conflict in eastern Congo, which sits at the heart of the crisis.
