The Ebola outbreak in DRC has spread to a new health zone in the northeastern province of Ituri, health authorities said on Wednesday (10 June), highlighting the challenges of containing the virus more than three weeks after the epidemic was declared.
The health ministry said Tchomia, a lakeside community about 50 kilometres south of the provincial capital Bunia, has become the latest health zone affected by the outbreak. The development brings the total number of affected health zones across the country to 26, with 18 of them located in Ituri province.
Ituri remains at the centre of the epidemic, accounting for more than 94% of all confirmed cases.
According to the government's latest situation report, 37 new confirmed cases and 12 deaths were recorded in the previous 24 hours. All were reported in Ituri.
The outbreak has now infected 635 people and claimed 127 lives across three eastern provinces.
The epidemic was officially declared on 15 May and is being driven by the rare Bundibugyo strain of Ebola. There is currently no approved vaccine or specific treatment for this strain, raising concerns among health workers as they race to contain its spread.
Since the outbreak began, the virus has reached parts of Ituri, North Kivu and South Kivu. The affected regions have long struggled with insecurity, population displacement and frequent cross-border movement, factors that can complicate disease control efforts.
There have been some signs of progress. Eight more patients were declared recovered in the latest update, bringing the total number of recoveries to 30.
Health authorities have also launched treatment activities at Ebola centres in Bunia and Rwampara as they work to expand care for patients and prevent further transmission.
The spread of the outbreak into another health zone underscores the continuing threat posed by the virus and the urgency of strengthening surveillance, treatment and community awareness efforts in the affected areas.
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