Congo’s latest Ebola outbreak has killed 600 people and reached 1,759 confirmed cases, with officials now investigating suspected infections in an area that had not previously reported cases.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
Congo’s latest Ebola outbreak has killed 600 people, and health officials are investigating suspected new cases in a province that had not previously recorded infections, according to the government’s latest report.
The report, published late Wednesday, said two suspected cases were identified in Kisangani, located in Tshopo province. The area had not previously been listed among affected locations.
Across Congo, the number of confirmed Ebola cases has reached 1,759.
Authorities said one of the suspected Kisangani cases was connected to the Nia-Nia health zone in Ituri province, where the first cases in the current outbreak were reported. The second suspected case “has no apparent geographical connection to known outbreaks,” according to the government report.
Officials said they are investigating both cases.
Congolese authorities declared the new Ebola outbreak May 15 after the disease had spread for weeks without official detection, according to the World Health Organization.
The outbreak is caused by the rare Bundibugyo virus, a strain for which there is no approved vaccine or treatment.
Researchers began clinical trials last week for potential treatment after launching a study aimed at finding ways to fight the virus.
Containment efforts have been complicated by several challenges, including a funding gap, attacks on health centers and the continuing conflict in eastern Congo, where the outbreak began and remains centered.
The suspected cases in Tshopo province raise additional concern because they may indicate the virus has moved into previously unaffected areas, making tracing, treatment and containment more difficult as health officials work to stop further spread.
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