Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has surpassed 1,000 confirmed cases, raising concerns among health authorities as violence and mass displacement continue to hamper containment efforts.
According to the DRC Ministry of Health, 1,003 people have been infected and 254 have died since the outbreak was declared on May 15 in the northeastern Ituri Province.
Health officials said 100 patients have recovered, while at least 365 others remain in hospitals or isolation centres.
The outbreak is being driven by the rare Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, which currently has no approved vaccine or specific treatment.
Authorities warned that the actual number of infections may be higher as many cases are believed to be going undetected.
The ministry disclosed that only about 55 per cent of potential contacts have been traced, leaving significant gaps in efforts to contain the virus.
The spread of the disease has been complicated by insecurity in the region, particularly attacks by the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), an armed group linked to the Islamic State.
The violence has forced thousands of people from their homes into overcrowded displacement camps.
At the Kigonze displacement camp near Bunia, which hosts more than 20,000 displaced persons, officials reported 10 unexplained deaths last week and called for an urgent investigation, although no Ebola cases have been confirmed at the site.
Health authorities also confirmed that an 18-month-old girl died after testing positive for Ebola in the Hungbe displacement camp.
Reports indicate that the child had been taken to two health centres before being tested and had contact with more than 100 people, including family members and healthcare workers.
Dr. Emmanuel Musingusi Bulemu, a health official in the Nizi zone, said limited isolation facilities remain a major challenge in managing the outbreak.
There have also been confirmed Ebola cases in Kpangba displacement camp, while at least 30 deaths have been reported in another camp in Bunia.
Preliminary data from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) showed that nearly one in five confirmed Ebola cases involves children.
A small number of infections have also been reported in neighbouring Uganda, raising fears of further cross-border transmission.