DAKAR: The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has spread to a new health zone in the northeastern province of Ituri, authorities said, highlighting continued transmission more than three weeks after the epidemic was declared.
According to the health ministry, the Tchomia health zone, located about 50 kilometres south of the provincial capital Bunia along Lake Albert, has become the latest affected area. This brings the total number of affected health zones nationwide to 26, including 18 in Ituri province, which remains the epicentre of the outbreak.
Officials reported 37 new confirmed cases and 12 deaths in the previous 24 hours, all recorded in Ituri. The latest figures raise the total number of confirmed infections to 635, with 127 deaths across three eastern provinces.
The outbreak, declared on May 15, is caused by the rare Bundibugyo strain of Ebola virus, for which no approved vaccine or specific treatment is currently available.
Health authorities said the disease continues to spread in regions affected by insecurity, displacement, and cross-border movement, complicating containment efforts.
The Congolese health system defines a health zone as a designated administrative unit consisting of clinics and a referral hospital responsible for local healthcare delivery.
Officials warned that ongoing transmission in multiple zones underscores the challenges of controlling the epidemic in conflict-affected areas, particularly in eastern Congo.