The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has spread to the northeastern province of Bas-Uele, making it the sixth province affected by the virus, authorities said on Friday.
The communications ministry confirmed the expansion of the outbreak after health officials detected an Ebola case in Buta, the capital of Bas-Uele province.
An official from Congo’s National Institute for Biomedical Research said the infected patient had died, raising concerns that people who came into contact with the individual may also have been exposed to the virus.
Bas-Uele had not previously recorded cases during the current outbreak.
Health authorities are now expected to trace the patient’s contacts and monitor them for symptoms as officials attempt to contain further transmission.
The outbreak has spread more rapidly than several previous Ebola emergencies in Congo, with delayed detection, ongoing conflict and pressure on the country’s health system complicating efforts to isolate cases and interrupt transmission.
According to the latest figures released by the communications ministry, Congo has recorded 4,665 confirmed Ebola cases, including 2,184 deaths.
The outbreak’s expansion into Bas-Uele underscores the growing challenge facing health authorities as the virus reaches previously unaffected parts of the country.