Kinshasa: The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is continuing to worsen, with the number of confirmed cases rising to 1,561 and the death toll reaching 506, according to the latest figures reported by the government.
The new numbers show how quickly the outbreak has grown in recent days. On July 3, authorities had reported 1,502 confirmed cases and 473 deaths. The latest update means that dozens of new infections and deaths have been recorded within a short period, adding pressure on health workers who are already struggling to control the spread of the disease.
The outbreak is mainly affecting the eastern part of the country, particularly Ituri province. Earlier information from the World Health Organization showed that Ituri accounted for more than 90 percent of confirmed cases in the country. Infections have also been reported in North Kivu and South Kivu.
Health officials say the outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo virus, one of the viruses that can cause Ebola virus disease. The illness can lead to fever, weakness, muscle pain, vomiting, diarrhoea and, in some patients, internal and external bleeding. Ebola spreads through direct contact with the blood or other body fluids of an infected person. It can also spread through contaminated objects and contact with the body of a person who has died from the disease.
The situation in eastern Congo is particularly difficult because many communities are also dealing with armed conflict and displacement. Violence has forced families to leave their homes, while insecurity has made it harder for health teams to reach some affected areas.
Health workers also face difficulties in finding people who may have been exposed to infected patients. Contact tracing is one of the most important methods used to stop Ebola outbreaks, but the movement of displaced people and limited access to some communities can make this work extremely difficult.
Misinformation and distrust are creating further problems. Health officials and community workers are trying to explain how the disease spreads and why early treatment is important. Previous Ebola outbreaks have shown that cooperation between local communities and medical teams can play a major role in bringing transmission under control.
There are also some signs of progress in the medical response. A clinical trial has started in Congo to study an experimental antibody treatment known as MBP134. Researchers are studying the treatment on its own and in combination with the antiviral medicine remdesivir.
The study is expected to involve more than 1,000 patients. Health experts hope the research will provide better treatment options for people infected with the Bundibugyo virus. Laboratory testing capacity has also been expanded, and additional treatment beds have been made available as authorities respond to the increasing number of patients.
The outbreak has also raised concern beyond Congo's borders. Uganda has reported confirmed cases linked to the wider outbreak, including infections among contacts and health workers. However, health authorities reported a period without new cases after June 21, offering hope that transmission there may be coming under control.
A laboratory confirmed infection was also reported in France involving a doctor who had returned after working in Congo. The case highlighted the need for continued international monitoring, although health experts say Ebola does not spread as easily as respiratory illnesses because transmission requires direct contact with infected body fluids or contaminated materials.
The rapid increase in cases remains the biggest concern. Figures reported in late June showed 1,155 confirmed infections and 304 deaths. By July 6, the number had increased to 1,561 confirmed cases and 506 deaths.
For families living in the affected areas, the outbreak is another emergency added to years of insecurity and displacement. Many people have lost relatives, while others are worried about travelling to health centres or being separated from family members during treatment.
Health authorities are urging people in affected communities to report symptoms quickly and cooperate with medical teams. Early treatment can improve a patient's chances of survival and also reduce the risk of the virus spreading to relatives and caregivers.
The coming weeks will be important in determining whether health teams can slow the outbreak. Expanding treatment, testing suspected cases quickly, tracing contacts and building trust with local communities will be essential. For now, the rising number of cases and deaths shows that the Ebola emergency in Congo remains a serious public health challenge.