Health authorities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo have reported a further increase in cases linked to the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the country's northeast. According to the Ministry of Health, the death toll has risen to 196, while the number of confirmed infections has reached 837.

During the latest reporting period, 29 new cases and four additional deaths were recorded. All newly confirmed infections were detected in Ituri Province. No new cases were reported in North Kivu or South Kivu.

The Ministry of Health estimates the case fatality rate of the circulating Bundibugyo strain at approximately 23.4%. At the same time, 49 patients have recovered from the disease.

Earlier, the World Health Organization declared the Ebola outbreak in DR Congo and neighboring Uganda a public health emergency with the potential to affect other countries. The agency continues to assess the regional risk of further virus spread as high.