Ebola infections top 7,000 in Congo as virus spreads to new province - Reuters

The Democratic Republic of Congo’s Ebola outbreak has recorded more than 7,000 confirmed infections, according to the latest government figures released on Friday. The tally marks a significant increase in the number of cases since the epidemic began, underscoring the continued challenge faced by health authorities in containing the virus.

Health officials reported that the outbreak has now extended into a new province, expanding the geographic reach of the disease beyond the areas previously affected. The identification of cases in this additional region was confirmed through laboratory testing and has been added to the national count.

The government’s data, compiled by the Ministry of Health, includes both laboratory‑confirmed cases and those identified through clinical assessment. The cumulative total surpasses the 7,000‑case threshold, a milestone that highlights the scale of the public health emergency.

International partners and local response teams continue to implement measures aimed at controlling transmission, including contact tracing, vaccination campaigns, and community education. The spread to a new province has prompted a reassessment of resource allocation to ensure that affected areas receive adequate medical support and surveillance.