The Democratic Republic of the Congo has reported a record daily increase in Ebola infections, raising concerns that the outbreak is accelerating across eastern parts of the country. Health authorities recorded one of the largest single-day surges since the outbreak began, with dozens of new cases confirmed within 24 hours.
According to recent reports, the outbreak has now reached more than 780 confirmed cases, while the death toll has climbed to around 181 people. The epidemic is being driven by the rare Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus, for which there is currently no approved vaccine or specific treatment.
The hardest-hit area remains Ituri Province, which accounts for the vast majority of infections. Cases have also spread into North Kivu and South Kivu provinces, and some infections have crossed into neighboring Uganda.
Health officials say efforts to contain the outbreak are being hampered by armed conflict, population displacement, poor infrastructure, and difficulties in tracing contacts of infected individuals. Treatment centers are under pressure as the number of cases continues to rise.
The World Health Organization and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention have launched a major response plan worth hundreds of millions of dollars to help contain the outbreak and prevent further spread.
Public health experts warn that unless transmission is brought under control quickly, the outbreak could become one of the most serious Ebola epidemics in the region's history.