WHO Raises Alarm as Ebola Cases Surge in DR Congo

The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported a sharp rise in suspected Ebola infections in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), with 906 suspected cases and 223 suspected deaths currently under investigation.

According to WHO data released on Friday, the outbreak involves the rare Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus, which has continued to spread across parts of eastern Congo, particularly in Ituri, North Kivu, and South Kivu provinces.

Health officials have so far confirmed 125 Ebola cases and 17 deaths in the DRC.

Neighboring Uganda has also recorded confirmed infections linked to cross-border transmission.

WHO officials say the outbreak likely circulated undetected for several weeks before it was formally identified, making containment efforts more difficult. 

The agency warned that the current fatality rate among confirmed cases ranges between 30 and 50 percent, describing the situation as deeply concerning.