Ebola continues to spread in the Democratic Republic of Congo... Cases surpass 7,000

-3,398 deaths and virus reaches seventh province

The outbreak of Ebola virus in the Democratic Republic of Congo is spreading at an alarming rate, with cases surpassing 7,000 in a wave that authorities have described as the worst the country has ever witnessed.

Congolese authorities announced the recording of 7,022 infections since the start of the epidemic, alongside 3,398 deaths, while 1,671 people have recovered from the disease.

The Democratic Republic of Congo officially declared the latest outbreak in mid-May, after the virus had reportedly been circulating for weeks before being detected, making this the seventeenth such outbreak in the country.

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The outbreak began in Ituri province in the northeast of the country before spreading to remote areas in the east and north, which suffer from military conflicts and a lack of health infrastructure.

Earlier this week, it was confirmed that the virus had reached a seventh province, South Ubangi, which borders the Central African Republic and the Republic of Congo.

Most cases are concentrated in Ituri province, where infections were detected in schools following the end of the summer break, raising concerns among parents and health workers.

Angèle Magani, a mother of a student in Bunia, the capital of Ituri, told Agence France-Presse that parents are deeply frightened, despite assurances from school administrations about the implementation of health measures.

For his part, Roger Mongimbo, an official at one of Bunia’s schools, said that handwashing with soap has become mandatory, and schools are ensuring that class sizes do not exceed 30 students.

He added that awareness campaigns continue among children regarding the need to avoid physical contact and handshakes, and to ensure regular handwashing.

Ebola has claimed more than 15,000 lives in Africa over the past 50 years. It is transmitted through contact with bodily fluids and can lead to severe internal and external bleeding and organ failure.

The current outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, for which there is currently no approved vaccine or treatment.