The World Health Organisation (WHO) has called for increased international support to contain the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), warning that the spread of the virus is continuing to outpace response efforts.
The outbreak, declared less than three months ago, has become the largest Ebola epidemic ever recorded in the DRC, raising concerns about the ability of health authorities and partners to bring it under control.
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According to the latest government update, 3,802 cases and 1,707 deaths have been recorded since the outbreak began.
The outbreak is concentrated mainly in the remote Ituri Province in eastern DRC, which accounts for nearly 90 per cent of all reported cases. Infections have also been confirmed in five other provinces.
WHO said on Tuesday that it was monitoring more than 17,000 potential contacts, with nearly 80 per cent of them being followed up daily.
The organisation noted that while there are currently no proven vaccines or treatments for Ebola, two clinical trials for post-exposure drugs are ongoing in Ituri Province.
WHO added that two separate vaccine trials are also underway in the United Kingdom and Canada as efforts continue to find effective tools to contain the disease and prevent further spread.
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