Congo’s Ebola outbreak hits eighth province

Congo’s Ebola outbreak has spread to an eighth province in the country’s north, authorities said on Sunday, according to The Washington Times, citing the Associated Press.

The Health Ministry has recorded two cases, including one death, in Nord-Ubangi province, which borders the Central African Republic. Both patients are men in their 20s living in the Wapinda health zone, which borders Bas-Uele province, where cases were reported earlier.

Authorities have recorded at least 9,400 cases, including more than 4,500 deaths, since the outbreak was declared in mid-May, making it the deadliest in Congo’s history. Ituri province remains the epicentre, with almost three quarters of confirmed cases across 66 affected health zones.

The virus has also spilled into other countries. Uganda has since declared itself free of the disease, while Kenya recorded a seventh case on Saturday. The Central African Republic has no confirmed cases.

“We see pockets of Ebola generally going down, but unfortunately geographically it’s spreading out,” World Health Organization Regional Director for Africa Mohamed Yakub Janabi told AP in Beni on Friday. He said one of the biggest challenges is convincing infected people to seek medical help, as some die in the community outside health centres.

The outbreak is caused by the rare Bundibugyo virus, for which there is no approved vaccine or treatment. Mass population movements, rebel violence, mistrust and poor working conditions for frontline workers are fuelling its spread.