Daijiworld Media Network - Kinshasa

Kinshasa, Jun 9: Health authorities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) have reported a sharp rise in Ebola infections, with the number of confirmed cases reaching 550 and the death toll climbing to 101 as the outbreak continues to spread across the country's eastern region.

According to the latest situation update released on Monday, 35 new confirmed infections and 10 additional deaths were recorded on Sunday alone in the provinces of Ituri and North Kivu, highlighting the continuing severity of the outbreak. Seven more patients recovered during the same period, bringing the total number of recoveries to 19.

Officials cautioned that despite a slight dip reflected in recent epidemic data, the overall trend remains upward. Health experts believe the apparent decline may be linked to delays in laboratory reporting rather than a genuine reduction in transmission.

As of Sunday, 309 individuals were either isolated or receiving treatment in hospitals, including 116 confirmed Ebola patients and 193 suspected cases awaiting confirmation.

Efforts to trace and monitor contacts have intensified, with authorities tracking 5,418 individuals who may have been exposed to the virus. However, only 3,489 contacts have been successfully reached and monitored, resulting in a follow-up rate of 64.4 per cent—well below the recommended target of 95 per cent needed to effectively contain the outbreak.

Public health officials also reported mounting pressure on laboratory services, particularly in North Kivu, where shortages of testing reagents have led to a backlog of 183 pending test results. The delays have raised concerns about the ability to quickly identify and isolate new cases.

The current outbreak was officially declared by the DRC Ministry of Health on May 15 and is being driven by the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus. Although less common than the Zaire strain responsible for several previous outbreaks in Central Africa, the Bundibugyo variant can still cause severe illness and has a significant fatality rate.

The affected provinces—Ituri, North Kivu and South Kivu—are home to nearly 15 million people and face complex humanitarian challenges, including large-scale internal displacement and frequent cross-border movement into neighbouring countries. Health officials warn that these factors could complicate containment efforts and increase the risk of further spread.

Ebola is a highly infectious viral disease that affects humans and other primates. First identified in 1976 during simultaneous outbreaks in what is now the Democratic Republic of the Congo and South Sudan, the disease can cause severe fever, internal bleeding, organ failure and death if not treated promptly.

Authorities, supported by international health partners, are continuing surveillance, treatment and contact-tracing operations as they work to contain the outbreak and prevent wider regional transmission.