News Center — The rise in confirmed Ebola virus infections in the Congo is causing growing concern, with warnings of the outbreak's expansion and the need to strengthen health response efforts and contain the spread of infection in affected areas.

The Ministry of Communications and Media of the Democratic Republic of the Congo announced yesterday, Wednesday, June 24, in its update on the Ebola outbreak in the country, the recording of 1,118 confirmed cases, including 291 deaths.

Official data revealed that 122 infected individuals have recovered from the virus, while 408 others are currently receiving treatment, with a mortality rate of 26 percent. The update indicated the continuation of epidemiological surveillance operations, with 138 suspected cases identified and 77.1 percent of contacts being monitored.

Ituri Province in the eastern part of the country remains the main epicenter of the outbreak, while South Kivu Province has not recorded any new cases since May 26, with surveillance and care efforts continuing in affected areas.

For his part, the Director-General of the World Health Organization acknowledged that the outbreak still "exceeds response efforts," despite a reduction in the global risk level, warning that challenges remain significant in strengthening early detection and rapid response capacities.