DRC Confirms 1,274 Ebola Cases

The Democratic Republic of Congo has confirmed 1,274 Ebola infections as the country continues to respond to one of its largest outbreaks of the disease.

Government figures released late on Sunday show that the outbreak has claimed 360 lives, with both confirmed cases and fatalities continuing to rise.

The outbreak is linked to the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus, which has spread across several parts of eastern Congo. Health officials say efforts to contain the disease have been complicated by insecurity and the movement of people in conflict-affected and densely populated communities.

Congolese authorities, working with international health partners, are expanding surveillance, contact tracing, treatment services and public awareness campaigns to slow transmission and identify new cases.

Officials have continued to urge residents to cooperate with health workers and report suspected infections promptly as response teams work to contain the outbreak.

The source of the outbreak has not yet been established, and there is currently no approved vaccine or specific treatment for the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus.

SOURCE: Reuters