The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has become the third largest recorded, with cases nearing 750 and deaths reported at 177, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). The outbreak, centered in the Ituri province, is described as 'spreading rapidly,' with around 1,400 contacts now being traced to contain the virus.
The WHO has expressed concern over the escalating situation, noting that the number of cases has increased significantly in recent weeks. The outbreak, which began in August 2018, has been complicated by ongoing conflict and community mistrust in the region, hindering response efforts.
Health workers are facing challenges in reaching affected areas due to insecurity, and vaccination campaigns are underway to protect frontline workers and contacts. The WHO has called for increased international support to prevent the outbreak from spreading further.
