KINSHASA: A deadly Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has spread to a fourth province, meaning the country’s entire northeast — home to around 15 million people — is now affected.
The epidemic has claimed 360 lives out of 1,274 confirmed cases, according to figures from the World Health Organization.
The DRC declared its 17th outbreak of the viral hemorrhagic fever on May 15. This time, it is caused by the Bundibugyo strain, for which there is no vaccine or specific treatment.
Clinical trials are set to begin in the coming days, according to the WHO, which has issued an international alert over the disease.
The conflict-hit Ituri province is the epicenter of the latest outbreak, reporting 1,165 cases and 301 deaths, according to health authorities.
