Epidemic (human)

Confirmed Ebola cases in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) have risen to 2,423, including 967 deaths, according to the latest update from health authorities.The authorities said 734 patients remained in quarantine or treatment as of July 19, while 469 people had recovered since the outbreak began, News.Az reports, citing Xinhua.A new Ebola-affected health zone, Adja, has been identified in Ituri province, bringing the total number of affected health zones to 47 across five provinces. Of those, 46 continue to report active transmission.The outbreak, caused by the Bundibugyo ebolavirus, was officially declared on May 15 and has since spread across five provinces.Health officials said population movements, insecurity, artisanal mining activities and cross-border travel with Uganda and South Sudan continue to drive the spread of the virus.As of July 19, a total of 121 frontline healthcare workers in Ituri province had contracted Ebola, including 36 who died.Meanwhile, the DRC and Uganda have carried out a joint technical assessment of a mobile laboratory in Kasenyi, near their shared border, as part of efforts to strengthen cross-border disease surveillance.