The death toll in the Democratic Republic of Congo's latest Ebola outbreak has reached 600, the country's health ministry reported on Friday. New suspected cases have also emerged in parts of the country that were previously unaffected, raising concerns about the spread of the virus.
According to the Congolese health ministry, the outbreak, which began in August 2018, has been concentrated in the North Kivu and Ituri provinces. The World Health Organization has described the situation as a 'public health emergency of international concern.'
Efforts to contain the outbreak have been hampered by community mistrust, armed conflict, and logistical challenges. Health workers have faced attacks, and some communities have resisted vaccination campaigns and safe burials.
The new suspected cases are being investigated, and health authorities are working to trace contacts and implement control measures. The WHO and other partners are supporting the DRC government's response.
