The Democratic Republic of Congo's latest Ebola outbreak has claimed more than 100 lives, with health authorities warning that armed conflict and attacks on aid workers are hindering efforts to contain the disease.
In its latest situation report, released on Tuesday (9 June), the government said confirmed Ebola deaths had risen to 115, while confirmed cases were nearly 600.
22 patients have recovered and the new cases are not from spreading to other health zones.
The outbreak involves the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola and was officially declared a global health emergency on 15 May.
However, officials have since acknowledged that the virus had likely been spreading undetected for weeks before it was identified, leaving health teams struggling to catch up.
The outbreak is affecting three provinces in eastern Congo that have long been troubled by armed conflict: Ituri, North Kivu and South Kivu.
Most cases have been reported in Ituri, where infections have now been recorded in 17 health zones. Seven health zones in North Kivu and one in South Kivu have also reported cases.
Health officials say insecurity remains one of the biggest obstacles to controlling the outbreak.
The government said the presence of armed groups in the Ituri territories of Djugu, Irumu and Mambasa continues "to limit humanitarian access in multiple health zones affected or at risk."
Mistrust of authorities and resistance to health measures have further complicated the response.
There have been reports of attacks on treatment centres and burial teams working to contain the virus. The latest incident took place on Sunday at Nyamurongo Cemetery in Bunia, according to a source familiar with the government's response efforts.
The source said a burial team was attacked, leaving two people seriously injured and damaging two vehicles.
Despite the security concerns, the government said Bunia, the capital of Ituri Province, remained relatively calm.
Earlier on Monday, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention reported 544 confirmed Ebola cases and 88 deaths in Congo, figures slightly lower than those later released by the government.
A new artificial intelligence data centre in Armenia could be used for Western intelligence purposes, including against Russia, according to Russia...
Syria is carefully considering providing...
Scientists, astronauts and space industry leaders gathered in Antalya, Türkiye, on Thursday for the fourth day of the 77th International ...
Russia struck Ukraine overnight in one of the biggest attacks of the conflict, killing at least 19 people, Kyiv's Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday. Around 70 missiles were fired at Ukraine during the attack, as well as drones, the Ministry said.
The Saudi-led coalition says it has carried out a series of military operations against Houthi targets in Yemen after attacks on two Saudi airports left three people dead and dozens injured.
Azerbaijan and the five Central Asian states have signed two key documents at the 8th Consultative Meeting of Heads of State in Turkmenbashi, formalising a broader framework for regional cooperation in transport, trade, energy, digitalisation and security.
An investigation into August Hanning, the former head of Germany’s Federal Intelligence Service (BND), has no connection to Azerbaijan, informed sources have told AnewZ.
It started with classrooms. Too many students, not enough teachers, deteriorating buildings and growing anxiety over what comes after high school. But within weeks, a movement that began outside French lycées had spread across the country.
A new artificial intelligence data centre in Armenia could be used for Western intelligence purposes, including against Russia, according to Russia's Security Council.
Scientists, astronauts and space industry leaders gathered in Antalya, Türkiye, on Thursday for the fourth day of the 77th International Astronautical Congress (IAC). Designated as “Science and Academy Day,” discussions focused on the challenges of expanding human activities beyond Earth.
Spanish politicians traded blame on Thursday after the death of an 87-year-old woman who was evicted from her Madrid home exacerbated heated debates over housing ahead of an early election next month, as protests raged on across the country.
The Nobel Peace Prize 2026 will be announced on Friday, 9 October, bringing one of the world's most closely watched awards back into focus.
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said on Thursday 8 October, that Yerevan will discuss the possible construction of railway connections with the Turkish city of Kars and the Azerbaijani city of Nakhchivan with Russian officials next week, according to local media.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment