KINSHASA — The number of confirmed Ebola cases in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has surpassed 1,800 after the virus spread to a fourth province, according to official data released on Saturday.
The Health Ministry said the total number of confirmed cases has reached 1,830, including 648 deaths, since the outbreak was declared on May 15.
Authorities said 780 patients are currently receiving treatment, while 284 people have recovered.
The outbreak has been concentrated in Ituri, North Kivu and South Kivu provinces, where response efforts continue with strengthened national coordination, epidemiological surveillance and community mobilization.
On Friday, health authorities confirmed that the virus had spread to Haut-Uele province in northeastern Congo after seven fatal cases were identified in the Wamba health zone.
International donors and partners have pledged $910 million to support Ebola response efforts in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and neighboring Uganda, where 20 cases have been reported.
The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) said it has deployed multidisciplinary expert teams to priority health zones that account for 83% of reported cases as part of a decentralized response strategy.
Africa CDC Director General Jean Kaseya said the outbreak underscores the importance of rapid detection and response.
“The current Ebola outbreak in Congo serves as a stark reminder that every moment counts and every delay costs lives,” Kaseya said, stressing the need to strengthen community-based surveillance, trusted health workers and rapid access to financing.
The World Health Organization classified the Bundibugyo strain Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern on May 17, two days after the outbreak was declared.
Source: Saudi Gazette