DR Congo Reports 956 Confirmed Ebola Cases, 247 Deaths

Kinshasa (ANTARA) - The number of confirmed Ebola cases in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has risen to 956, including 247 deaths, according to the latest situation report released on Saturday (20/6) by the country’s health authorities.

On Friday (19/6), 23 new confirmed cases, including two deaths, were reported in the provinces of Ituri and North Kivu. Ituri remains the epicentre of the outbreak, with 874 confirmed cases and 201 deaths, representing more than 91 per cent of the total confirmed cases in the country.

A total of 92 patients have recovered, while 361 patients are currently in isolation or receiving hospital treatment.

The report also noted that 162 suspected cases were identified on that day, while the contact tracing rate stands at 69.3 per cent, which is below the 95 per cent target set by health authorities.

In a press conference on Friday evening local time, DRC Health Minister Roger Kamba stated that the outbreak is still in an increasing phase, with more confirmed cases expected to emerge as emergency response teams expand active case-finding efforts and move deeper into affected communities.

Kamba added that authorities can only declare that the outbreak has peaked, entered a stable period, or begun to decline once weekly figures stabilise or start to decrease. For now, efforts to detect cases, isolate and treat patients, and strengthen community engagement must continue, he said.

The outbreak, caused by the Bundibugyo Ebola virus, was announced by DRC authorities on 15 May.