The number of suspected Ebola cases in the Democratic Republic of Congo has exceeded 1,000 amid an increase in the eastern provinces, according to a situation report published Wednesday by the Ministry of Health, Anadolu reports.

The cumulative number of suspected Ebola cases is 1,077, with 121 confirmed cases and 17 deaths since the outbreak was announced on May 15, the report showed. The ministry said the Ebola epidemic has affected 13 health zones in three provinces, including Ituri, North Kivu and South Kivu.

“Surveillance, screening and community awareness operations remain intensified despite operational challenges reported on the ground,” it said. Congolese authorities have suspended social activities in Ituri, the epicenter of the outbreak, including sports, to prevent the spread of Ebola.

According to Public Health Minister Roger Kamba, about 3,600 people have been in contact with patients.

Ten countries, including Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania, Angola, Burundi, Central African Republic, Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, South Sudan and Zambia face the risk of an Ebola outbreak, according to the African Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).

Seven cases have so far been recorded in neighboring Uganda since the current outbreak. Uganda announced on Wednesday the temporary closure of its border with Congo to mitigate the risk of the disease spreading in the country.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has raised the alert level to “very high” and several countries neighboring Congo have intensified measures to prevent the spread of the virus, including restricting travel from Congo.

Source: prizrenpost