The number of Ebola cases in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has risen to 1,203, including 321 deaths, since the current outbreak was declared in mid-May, health authorities said in a situation update released late Friday.
According to the Health Ministry, 148 people have recovered from the disease, while 419 patients remain in isolation or are receiving treatment in hospital.
The outbreak, caused by the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus, has spread across 34 health zones in the provinces of Ituri, North Kivu and South Kivu, with Ituri remaining the epicentre of the epidemic.
Health officials said the response continues to face challenges, including community resistance to postmortem testing, limited treatment capacity in Ituri and a contact tracing rate that remains below the target of 95%.
“The government reminds everyone that the fight against Ebola is everyone’s responsibility. Every citizen is urged to report any suspected case, adhere to hygiene measures, and avoid handling the bodies of deceased persons,” the ministry said.