A young doctor has died from Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo as the outbreak spreads into areas beyond its earlier epicentre.
Dr Victor Kingombe died on Thursday at an Ebola treatment centre in Kisangani, the capital of Tshopo province.
His death comes as neighbouring provinces report rising infections, despite cases declining this month in Ituri province.
In North Kivu, Ebola cases have increased 73% over the past three weeks, according to the report.
DR Congo Ebola outbreak spreads beyond epicentre
Kisangani first reported Ebola cases in late June.
The treatment centre where Kingombe died opened less than two weeks before his death.
His colleagues and family gathered for his funeral following the announcement.
Healthcare workers wearing protective equipment handled his body as mourners watched from a distance.
Fellow doctor Agnes Kalokola mourned Kingombe during the ceremony.
“Our internal medicine doctor is gone,” she said.
North Kivu records sharp increase
The DR Congo Ebola outbreak is developing differently across affected provinces.
Cases have fallen this month in Ituri, which has been the outbreak’s epicentre.
However, neighbouring areas have recorded significant increases.
North Kivu has experienced a 73% rise in cases during the past three weeks.
The outbreak is also unfolding amid insecurity, displacement and significant population movements.
In addition, a health workers’ strike has complicated the response.
Health teams face mistrust and attacks
Health authorities are also struggling with misinformation and community mistrust.
Some residents do not believe Ebola is real.
Treatment centres and burial teams have also faced attacks during the outbreak.
Didier Lomoyo Iteku, vice-governor of Tshopo province, attended Kingombe’s funeral.
After viewing the doctor’s body, he urged people to take the disease seriously.
“This disease is real,” he said, pointing to Kingombe’s death while treating patients.
DR Congo vaccinates healthcare workers
DR Congo began vaccinating healthcare workers in Kisangani in August.
Authorities are using the Ervebo vaccine, which was originally developed against Ebola caused by the Zaire virus.
However, the current outbreak involves the less common Bundibugyo strain.
The vaccine has been found to offer some protection, according to the report.
Meanwhile, trials of possible treatments for the strain are underway across the country.
The World Health Organization has warned that the current epidemic is on track to surpass the 2014–2016 West Africa Ebola outbreak, which was the deadliest recorded Ebola epidemic.
Health authorities are continuing surveillance, vaccination and public awareness efforts as they work to contain further transmission.