The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has claimed 600 lives, according to updated figures released by the World Health Organisation (WHO) on Thursday.
The latest update comes just three days after the death toll surpassed 500, highlighting the rapid spread of the virus in the Central African country.
According to data compiled by the WHO from Congolese health authorities, the DRC has recorded 1,759 confirmed Ebola cases since the outbreak was declared in mid-May, including 600 confirmed deaths.
The outbreak has also spread beyond the DRC, with neighbouring Uganda reporting two deaths. Ugandan health authorities have confirmed 20 Ebola cases, with 17 patients having recovered.
The WHO said the outbreak in the DRC currently has a case fatality rate of about 34 per cent.
Health officials also disclosed that 285 patients have recovered, while 304 suspected cases are still under investigation.
Although four provinces in northeastern DRC have been affected, Ituri Province remains the epicentre of the outbreak.
The current outbreak is caused by the rare Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus, for which there are currently no approved vaccines or licensed treatments.
To improve treatment options, health authorities on July 2 launched a clinical trial to evaluate two potential therapies. The study is assessing the effectiveness of the monoclonal antibody MBP134 and the antiviral drug remdesivir, both individually and in combination.
Ebola is a highly infectious viral disease that spreads through direct contact with the bodily fluids of infected persons or contaminated materials.
The Democratic Republic of Congo declared its 17th Ebola outbreak on May 15 after several deaths were reported in the mineral-rich Ituri Province, a region that has long been plagued by armed conflict and insecurity.
