The death toll from the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has risen to an estimated 131 fatalities from 513 suspected cases, according to the country’s health minister Samuel Roger Kamba. The latest figures mark a sharp increase from previous estimates of 91 deaths from 350 suspected infections.
The outbreak is being driven by the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, a rare variant for which no approved vaccine or treatment currently exists. Kamba said the numbers remain provisional and further investigations are needed to confirm whether all suspected deaths are directly linked to the virus.
The epicentre is in Ituri province in northeastern Congo near the borders with Uganda and South Sudan. Officials say the region’s active gold-mining industry and frequent cross-border movement have raised concerns about further spread.
Suspected cases have now emerged in Butembo in North Kivu province, about 200 km from the original outbreak zone, and another case has been reported in Goma, a major city under the control of the Rwanda-backed M23 militia.
The World Health Organization declared the outbreak a public health emergency of international concern on Sunday and has convened its emergency committee to review recommendations. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said he is “deeply concerned about the scale and speed of the epidemic,” noting cases are now appearing in urban areas and among healthcare workers.
