Health authorities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) have reported a continued rise in Ebola infections, with the number of confirmed cases reaching 676 and the death toll climbing to 136.

According to the latest official figures, 41 new confirmed cases were recorded in the eastern provinces of Ituri and North Kivu. Authorities said nine of the newly confirmed patients have died.

The outbreak, caused by the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus, has so far affected 29 health zones across the eastern provinces of Ituri, North Kivu and South Kivu.

Community transmission continues

Health officials noted that confirmed case numbers continue to rise on a weekly basis, indicating that community transmission remains ongoing in several affected areas.

They warned that without the rapid implementation of public health measures, the outbreak could spread further across additional regions.

The continued increase in infections has raised concerns among health authorities, who are seeking to strengthen surveillance, case detection and containment efforts.

Contact tracing remains a challenge

Officials said 5,768 people identified as contacts of confirmed Ebola patients are currently being monitored across the three affected provinces.

However, the contact-tracing follow-up rate stands at 71.8 percent, well below the target rate of 95 percent considered necessary for effective outbreak control.

Health authorities described the gap in contact tracing as one of the main challenges facing response efforts, warning that insufficient monitoring could hamper attempts to break chains of transmission.

Country's 17th Ebola outbreak

The Democratic Republic of the Congo first identified the Ebola virus in 1976 and has experienced multiple outbreaks over the past decades.

The current outbreak, officially declared on May 15, is the country's 17th recorded Ebola epidemic.

Authorities continue to urge vigilance as health teams work to contain the spread of the virus and prevent further loss of life.(ILKHA)