Daijiworld Media Network – Kinshasa

Kinshasa, May 20: The death toll in the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has risen to 136, as health authorities continue efforts to contain the spread of the deadly virus in the country’s eastern region.

Congo’s Health Minister Roger Kamba confirmed the latest figures amid growing concern over the outbreak, which has also seen infections reported in neighbouring Uganda.

According to Congolese health authorities, the country has so far recorded 543 suspected Ebola cases and 32 confirmed infections linked to the current outbreak.

Uganda has also reported two confirmed Ebola cases, raising fears of cross-border transmission in the region.

Officials stated that Congo is currently battling its 17th Ebola outbreak, which is being caused by the Bundibugyo strain of the virus.

The Bundibugyo strain had previously triggered outbreaks in 2007 and 2012 and is known to have a fatality rate of nearly 30 per cent among infected patients.

Health authorities are continuing surveillance, isolation and contact-tracing operations in affected areas while intensifying awareness campaigns to prevent further spread of the disease.

Ebola is a severe viral illness that spreads through direct contact with infected bodily fluids and can cause symptoms such as fever, bleeding, vomiting and organ failure.