The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has claimed 930 lives, with health authorities warning that the epidemic continues to spread rapidly despite ongoing containment efforts.

According to the Ministry of Health, 2,344 Ebola cases have been recorded since the outbreak was declared in eastern Congo on May 15. Officials reported 37 new deaths over the previous 24 hours, marking one of the deadliest single-day increases since the epidemic began.

The outbreak, caused by the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus, has become the fastest-growing Ebola epidemic on record. Unlike the more common Zaire strain, there is currently no approved vaccine or specific treatment available for Bundibugyo Ebola, making efforts to contain the disease significantly more challenging.

Health officials said the eastern province of Ituri remains the epicenter of the outbreak, although infections have now spread to multiple provinces, raising concerns about wider transmission across the country. The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that a large proportion of newly confirmed infections are linked to unknown chains of transmission, complicating contact tracing and increasing the risk of further spread.

Response efforts have also been hampered by insecurity in the affected areas. Since the outbreak was declared, authorities have recorded at least 12 attacks on healthcare facilities and medical teams, disrupting treatment operations and forcing some health workers to suspend their activities. Officials say 36 healthcare workers have died during the outbreak, highlighting the risks faced by frontline personnel.

Despite the worsening situation, health authorities reported some encouraging developments. More than 700 patients are currently receiving treatment in isolation, while dozens of patients have recovered as medical teams continue surveillance, testing, and supportive care across affected communities.

The outbreak has also affected neighboring Uganda, although officials there recently discharged the country's last Ebola patient and have begun the 42-day monitoring period required before the outbreak can officially be declared over, provided no additional cases emerge. Ugandan health authorities said all recent cases were linked to cross-border transmission from the DRC.

Meanwhile, international researchers have begun the first human clinical trials of a vaccine specifically targeting the Bundibugyo Ebola virus, offering hope that a dedicated vaccine could become available in the future. However, health experts caution that the vaccine remains in the early stages of testing and will not have an immediate impact on the current outbreak.

The WHO and its partners continue to support Congolese health authorities through surveillance, laboratory testing, case management, community engagement, and cross-border preparedness efforts. However, officials warn that ongoing violence, population displacement, and limited access to affected communities continue to undermine containment efforts, leaving the outbreak one of the most serious public health emergencies currently facing Central Africa. (ILKHA)