Ebola outbreak in DR Congo claims 3,475 lives: WHO

The World Health Organization has reported 7,200 cases and 3,475 deaths from Ebola in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, four months after the outbreak was declared.

In a statement issued today, the organization said the outbreak has affected 62 health zones across seven provinces, noting that transmission remains intense and geographically widespread.

Ituri province alone recorded around 309 confirmed cases and 160 deaths last week, accounting for 48% of cases nationwide and 45% of all infections during that period.

Warnings and response measures

The WHO stressed the need to strengthen response efforts, surveillance, and infection prevention, as well as to expand community engagement. It warned of the risk of the outbreak spreading to new areas due to increased population movement.

The organization also noted that post-exposure treatment trials are ongoing, with vaccine trials expected to begin in the coming weeks.