Ebola cases surpass 300 in DR Congo, deaths rise to 48

The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has surpassed 300 confirmed cases, with the death toll rising to 48, according to the Anadolu Agency. The epidemic continues to spread, now affecting 23 health zones in the provinces of Ituri, North Kivu, and South Kivu, the health ministry reported. Ituri, a region plagued by years of insecurity, has seen confirmed cases exceed 260. Health authorities stated that community resistance in the provincial capital Bunia and the northeastern town of Nizi, along with rumors and disinformation, are complicating response efforts.

On Monday, authorities announced that four patients had recovered and were discharged from the Evangelical Medical Center in Bunia. World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus concluded his visit to the DRC on Monday after meeting with President Felix Tshisekedi to discuss the response to the Bundibugyo-strain Ebola outbreak. Authorities and partners have opened a new 60-bed treatment center in Bunia and are conducting vaccine trials.

Government spokesperson Patrick Muyaya said that following the installation of monitoring devices at both departure and arrival, Bunia Airport, which had been closed except for humanitarian flights, reopened on Monday to facilitate the delivery of response support. The latest outbreak was declared on May 15. According to Mehr News, the situation remains critical as health officials work to contain the virus amid ongoing challenges.