The number of Ebola infections in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has exceeded 11,000, with the death toll climbing to 5,387, according to the country's Health Ministry.

The latest figures released Wednesday showed that 11,042 people had contracted the deadly virus, making the current outbreak the deadliest in the country's history.

Declared in mid-May, the outbreak has proven difficult to contain amid ongoing armed conflicts, a strained healthcare system, poor road infrastructure and resistance from local communities.

Health authorities have also faced challenges stemming from public mistrust and misinformation, which have hampered efforts to reach infected people and contain the spread of the disease.

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

The virus has spread to eight of the DRC's 26 provinces, raising concerns over the scale of the health emergency.

Renewed violence in the eastern provinces of Ituri and North Kivu, two major outbreak hotspots, has further complicated containment efforts.

Health officials have called for an end to the fighting to ensure medical teams can safely reach affected communities, provide treatment and prevent further transmission.

They have warned that insecurity and restricted access to vulnerable populations could undermine efforts to bring the outbreak under control. (ILKHA)