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The Democratic Republic of Congo’s Ebola outbreak has not stabilised and is continuing to expand, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).
The Central African country is battling its worst-ever outbreak of the rare Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, for which there is no proven treatment or cure.
Health authorities have confirmed 1,561 cases, including 506 deaths.
Anne Ancia, the WHO representative in DR Congo, said the outbreak remains in the expansion phase.
“It is still in the expansion phase, unfortunately. We would like to say it is stabilising, but frankly, we cannot say it yet,” she said.
According to Ancia, major challenges remain, including the near saturation of some Ebola treatment centres, with occupancy levels at around 90 percent.
She added that another challenge is that infected workers in the mining town of Mongbwalu are not seeking treatment locally but are instead travelling, increasing the risk of spreading the disease to new areas.
“Population movements, persistent insecurity and the fragility of the health system continue to complicate efforts to bring the outbreak under control,” Ancia said.
